The U-Factor and Its Effect on Window Energy Efficiency

Your windows play an important role in your Nashville home’s energy efficiency. By reducing the amount of heat that can transfer through your windows, you can reduce the workload on your HVAC systems and save money. Upgrading your replacement windows is a good way to make your home more energy-efficient, but before you do that, you need to understand the U-factor.

Renewal by Andersen® of Nashville, a trusted window company, explains more:

What Is the U-Factor?

The U-factor is an energy performance rating that measures a material’s thermal conductance. It tells you how well a material insulates or prevents heat from transferring through the material. The National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) is a non-profit organization that is responsible for testing and rating the energy efficiency of building components like windows. Replacement windows have NFRC labels that you can check to see how well they perform. Low numbers on a U-factor rating means better insulation.

When choosing your replacement windows, you need to read the U-factor and other energy performance ratings carefully before making your decision. Other ratings on the NFRC label measure how well a window transmits visible light or how airtight it is. You must balance all of these ratings to find the best windows for your needs. For best results during this process, we recommend consulting with a reputable window company. They have the technical knowledge to determine the right choice.

How Our Windows Can Help You

Our replacement windows have excellent U-factor ratings because of our innovative materials and designs. For example, we manufacture all of our window frames from our exclusive Fibrex® material. Fibrex is twice as durable as vinyl, and it serves as an excellent insulator. All of our windows also come standard with our High-Performance™ Low-E4® glass. This glass further reduces heat transfer through the window, thanks to its spectrally selective low-emissivity (Low-E) coating.

Our Fibrex picture, casement, and sliding window types will make a great addition to your home. We designed our products to be as durable and energy-efficient as possible. They are all ENERGY STAR® rated, and they can have a noticeable effect on your home’s comfort and energy efficiency. Call us at (866) 609-5033 to learn more about our services and products, or to schedule a free in-home consultation. We serve Nashville and nearby areas in Tennessee.