Look For The NFRC Label
The NFRC is a nonprofit organization whose goal is to provide
uniform, accurate information about the energy performance of
windows, doors, and skylights. In addition to publishing consensus
standards (for consistent ratings), the NFRC administers a
third-party certification and labeling program to provide the
window buyer with verified product information. So look for an NFRC
label on windows to compare products on a fair and equal basis.
Compare Product Performance
The NFRC label provides information on how a window performs.
The two most important energy ratings are U-factor and Solar Heat
Gain. By reviewing the label information, consumers can make an
informed choice about the product that is best for their individual
situation.
What is U-factor?
U-factor is also known as thermal transmission. It is a measure
of the rate of heat loss through a product, therefore, the lower
the U-factor, the lower the amount of heat loss. In cold climates,
where heating bills are a major concern, choosing windows with
lower U-factors will reduce the amount of heat which escapes
through a window from inside your house to the outside.
What is Solar Heat Gain?
The Solar Heat Gain Coefficient, also know as SHGC, measures the
rate of heat gain through a product, therefore, the lower the SHGC,
the lower the amount of solar heat gain. In hot climates, where
air-conditioning bills are a major concern, choosing windows with
lower SHGC will reduce the amount of heat that comes in through
your windows from the outside.
Look For The ENERGY STAR® Label
The U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency have developed an Energy Star designation for
products meeting certain energy performance criteria. Since the
energy efficiency performance of windows, doors, and skylights can
vary by climate, product recommendations are given for four climate
zones: a mostly heating zone (Northern), two heating and cooling
zones (North/Central and South/Central), and a mostly cooling zone
(Southern). For more information about ENERGY STAR windows, see
www.energystar.gov.
A.
U-Factor measures how well a product prevents heat from escaping a
home or building. U-Factor ratings generally fall between 0.20 and
1.20. The lower the U-Factor, the better a product is at keeping
heat in. U-Factor is particularly important during the winter
heating season. This label displays U-Factor in U.S. units. Labels
on products sold in markets outside the United States may display
U-Factor in metric units.
B.
Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) measures how well a product
blocks heat from the sun. SHGC is expressed as a number between 0
and 1. The lower the SHGC, the better a product is at blocking
unwanted heat gain. Blocking solar heat gain is particularly
important during the summer cooling season.
C.
Visible Transmittance (VT) measures how much light comes through a
product. VT is expressed as a number between 0 and 1. The higher
the VT, the higher the potential for daylighting.
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What other manufacturers are saying?
OKNA windows not only outperforms competitors in energy
efficiency, but also in other very important categories, including
air infiltration, water infiltration, and structural integrity
during severe weather.
Be a well informed customer - go to www.nfrc.org and compare
our windows to competitors.
