NFRC Window Rating System
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NFRC
In today’s market, architects, builders, and consumers are challenged by the many choices of window products. What is the best way to choose windows, doors, and skylights for homes and offices? If you have questions about how to choose energy efficient windows, the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) has the answers.
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 for windows are U-factor and Solar Heat Gain. By reviewing the label information, consumers can make an informed choice about the doors, windows or skylights that are 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, such as a window. 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, such as a window. 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.
OKNA vs the Competition?
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.
For More Information
Please contact us, let us know what your needs are, and we will let you know how we can provide a solution customized for you.
