NFRC Window Replacement Label

Who is the NFRC (National Fenestration Rating Council) and what do they provide?
This is an organization that is a non-profit independent labeling and rating company that rates the overall performance of replacement windows and products alike. They work to provide accurate window ratings performance information for contractors, builders, homeowners and code enforcers alike.

When considering replacing your windows there are a lot of vinyl replacement window options such as Low-E Glass, Argon Gas, Window Colors and Grids. Energy Star recognizes NFRC Label Window Testing as an Independent and Certified Energy Performance Window Rating Agency. Texas Home Exteriors provides to guide Texas homeowners in making the best choice when replacing their windows with NFRC window rating information.

The NFRC Rating Label Four Categories

The NFRC Rating Label is broken of into four window rating categories, U-Factor, Solar Heat Gain Coefficient, Visible Transmittance and Air leakage. At Texas Home Exteriors, we provide the NFRC replacement window label (see above) and information to help Texas homeowners better understand replacement window performance as well as replacement window ratings better to help with your new window selection.

U-Factor

This rating shows how much Heat is Transferred by the entire window (frame, sash and glass). One might call this, invisible insulation. For instance, the smaller U-Factor would mean a window would provide more comfort to sit next to on colder winter days.

Visible Light Transmittance

This rating how how much outside Visible Light enters the room through the window. This measurement is not a percentage but a rating between .0 and 1.00 with .0 blocking out all visible outside light and 1.00 allowing all visible outside light to enter the room.

Solar Heat Coefficient

This rating shows how much Heat Energy is Entering the home through the entire window. A lower SHGC will reduce AC Cost and provide a more comfortable window to sit next to on Hot Summer days.
SHGC of 0.30 = 30% of Solar Heat enters the room from the outside.

Air Leakage

This rating shows how much Outside Air enters into a home through the window. Good Air Leakage rates typically range between 0.1 and 0.4. The Lower the Air Leakage, the better the window is at keeping the Outside Air out of our Houston Texas metro area homes.

Conclusion

With this information you are better educated to make a replacement window decision that will provide you with energy efficiency and comfort year after year. It is important for you to be an educated and informed homeowner when it comes to replacing your windows because this will ultimately affect your utility bills usage. Simonton Vinyl Replacement Windows and NT Vinyl Replacement Window are excellent replacement window choices that we recommend and have a long history of great customer service.

From my heart to yours. I truly hope that you have found this post must helpful in making an informed and educated decision when it comes to replacing the windows in your home. If you like what you have read, follow my, Kapitan The Siding Man Blog  of Texas Home Exteriors which is full of great content to help provide you with information and insight into many home improvement decisions.

Greg Kapitan, “Kapitan The Siding Man”

Free Replacement Window Estimate

Many Houston Texas homeowners would like to know more about the energy efficiency of their windows. Most of the new replacement windows are labeled to indicate their energy properties but this information may not be available on existing or older windows. Below is an energy efficiency checklist to help you with the process of determining the energy efficiency of your home windows.

The Energy Star Label

First try looking for products that have earned the Energy Star label. The Energy Star label indicates that the window meets energy performance recommendations set by the US Department of Energy. The label includes a map of where the specific window qualifies for the specific climate zone. Windows that are Energy Star qualified should typically meet or exceed energy code requirements for your area. The determining factors for qualification criteria for Energy Star windows is based on your the climate and location of your home.

The NFRC Window Ratings Label

Check for window ratings and energy efficient properties on the NFRC Window Ratings Label. The National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) label is needed for verification of energy code compliance. The NFRC label displays whole-window energy properties and appears on all products in the ENERGY STAR program providing a reliable way to determine the window’s energy efficiency properties.

NFRC Energy Star Label Example – The Energy Star label indicates that the window meets energy performance recommendations set by the US Department of Energy. The label includes a map of where the specific window qualifies for the specific climate zone.

Window Performance

Check the windows for any energy performance labels and information on window performance. If there are no labels or you cannot find any information on the window, you can visually inspect the window to determine the assumed window energy performance with the following:

1 – Verify how many panes of glass the windows has, with each pane of glass comes additional energy efficiency

2 – What material is the window frame made from (aluminum, wood, vinyl).  Windows made with wood or vinyl frames insulate better than metal-framed window options so are more energy efficient.

Below are charts to help in assuming the U-factor and solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC).  The U-factor is a measure of non-solar heat transfer (like heat escaping in the winter). A lower U-factor is better (lower means less heat loss). The SHGC indicates how much heat from the sun enters through a window. A low SHGC is more important in the hotter climates like the Houston Texas are. The U-factor and SHGC of a window are shown on the NFRC label. Energy Star windows meet the recommended values shown here:

Energy Star Window Climate Zone Map

The U-factor and SHGC of a window are shown on the NFRC label. The U-factor is a measure of non-solar heat transfer. A lower U-factor is better, lower means less heat loss. The SHGC indicates how much heat from the sun enters through a window. A low SHGC is more important in the hotter climates like the Houston Texas area.

Below is a chart you can reference using the information collected above for the assumed U-factor and SHGC values. This information is based on the International Energy Conservation Code and does not account for features you may not be able to verify such as low-E coatings, gas fills, etc).

U-factor SHGC Approximation Chart (These values are based on the International Energy Conservation Code and do not take into account features that you may not be able to verify such as low-E coatings, gas fills, etc.)

3 – Does the window glass has low-E coatings? Low-E coatings are invisible heat barriers that improve window energy efficiency. The most reliable way to identify these coatings is to use a low-E detector device (equipment energy auditors may use). Chances are you do not own one of these but you may be able to identify low-E glass by using a lighter flame or white card by holding either up to the glass and looking for the two reflections from each pane of glass. If one of the panes looks bluer than the other, this is an indication of a low-E coating on that surface.

4 – Does the window have an airtight fit and weatherstripping. Check the sashes and weatherstripping as these are important factors. The windows may have air leakage if they are not fitted tightly or air could be leaking from in between the interface of the frame and the wall if they were not properly sealed during installation. This may be difficult to check for on existing windows.

Professional Window Installation

If you are ready to replace your windows, remember the importance of proper installation of your new energy efficient Energy Star rated windows. This is most necessary for optimal performance of energy efficient windows, to ensuring there is an airtight fit and to avoid water leakage. Use experienced professionals for your window selection and installation.

Additionally, check the Department of Energy for info replacing windows with energy efficient windows that are Energy Star rated.

Don’t forget to subscribe to my blog and feel free to call me at Texas Home Exteriors, we are here to assist you in your replacement window selection and installation of new energy efficient windows in the Houston, Spring, The Woodlands metro area. We offer a variety of options, call us today at 281.919.6999 and visit our website click her Texas Home Exteriors.  Be sure to check out our Texas Home Exclusive Windows made for the Houston Texas Climate!

Free Energy Star Window Estimate