When it comes to your windows, you want them to be as energy-efficient as possible. In fact, most homeowners are looking for ways to keep their utility costs as low as they can. With a whole-window performance rating, you can determine if a window will be exactly what your home needs. Fortunately, there are metrics to determine your window’s whole-window performance.
In this post, vinyl siding installation services provider Hinkle Roofing explains the metrics that are used to determine a window’s whole-window performance.
U-Factor
The U-Factor of your window determines the rate of heat loss in your home. This plays an important factor in your everyday life since the U-Factor keeps heat from leaving your home. When looking at the U-Factor of your windows, it’s vital to find ones with the lowest U-Factor. Otherwise, the higher the heat factor is, the more heat will escape your home, which can affect your comfort during winter.
Solar Heat Gain Coefficient
The Solar Heat Gain Coefficient of your window is another player in determining your home’s cooling load and its cost. This is because it’s the amount of solar radiation that enters through your window. The lower this number, the less solar heat it will transmit.
Visible Transmittance
Visible transmittance is the measurement of how much natural light travels through your home’s windows. If applied properly, the natural light you’re allowing into your home can offset the need for electric lighting. If your windows have poor visible transmittance, it’s likely that you may need to obtain replacement windows for optimal performance.
Air Leakage
Heat gain and loss can occur if your window assembly has cracks. The lower your window’s AL is, the less air will pass through the cracks of the window assembly.
Condensation Resistance
Condensation on your windows is not always bad, but excessive condensation is, which may point to heightened humidity or broken windows. Windows with high condensation resistance inhibit the formation of condensation even with slightly higher humidity.
Sound Transmission
Nobody likes hearing loud noises from outside their home. Thankfully, modern windows can now combat this issue thanks to their sound transmission reduction properties. A way to reduce sound transmission is to minimize air infiltration and use double glazing. Neither will mean much if the window wasn’t installed properly, however.
Turn to Hinkle Roofing for your home improvement needs. We are your number one provider of gutters and roof repair services. Give us a call at (205) 324-8545 or fill out our contact form to request a free estimate. We serve homeowners in Tuscaloosa, AL, and other nearby areas.
