Today, you have a wide range of quality roofing and window options for your home. When getting new windows, make sure to pay attention to their energy efficiency ratings. One thing to consider when making your purchase is the solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) rating.
Continue reading to learn the significance of this rating in windows.
Energy performance ratings were established to determine how energy-efficient a product is. Residential roofing and windows will only be considered energy-efficient if they can significantly reduce your dependence on your heating and cooling system.
SHGC pertains to the amount of sun’s heat and radiation transfers to your home through the glass of your windows. This rating ranges from 0 to 1, and the lower it is, the less solar heat enters your living spaces through the window glass. Windows with lower SHGC can help keep your home cool in summer by blocking solar radiation. On the other hand, units with higher SHGC can allow more solar heat in the colder months, which can help you save on heating costs.
U-Factor
Experts use this rating to determine how much non-solar heat passes through windows. It tells you about how well-insulated windows are. Consider units with a lower U-rating because they can insulate your home better.
Visible Transmittance
Visible transmittance (VT) refers to the amount of visible light from the sun that can penetrate through a window. The higher the VT of a unit, the more light it will allow to your interior. On the other hand, a window with a lower VT can help in minimizing glare.
R-Value
R-value measures a window’s ability to withstand heat transfer or its thermal resistance. You can enjoy better insulation from units with a high R-value.
Air Leakage
Air leakage rating is used to measure the air movement around a window, door, or skylight if there is a difference in pressure on the two sides of the unit. Moreover, a window with a low air leakage rating is tighter, meaning it has better insulation capabilities.
At Howard Roofing & Home Improvements, we only install quality and energy-efficient windows from leading manufacturers. You can also count on us for quality residential and commercial roofing services. Call us at (636) 296-1057 or fill out our contact form to get a free estimate. We serve clients in St. Louis, MO, and nearby communities.