Choosing
the best replacement windows
Finding
the best energy efficient windows for your home
Searching for the best replacement windows for an
existing home or
for a new home requires understanding your regional climate conditions
and the effects of heat loss and heat gain to your home
cooling and heating costs.
 In
fact regional climate is the first major consideration that any potential consumer should make before selecting the best energy
efficient windows for their home.
The U.S Dept of Energy, through its Energy Star
Program, has designated four different U.S climate zones with regard to
replacement windows.
Energy star windows are proven, through
independent testing, to meet or exceed specific energy efficiency
performance standards for one or more of these climate zones.
 Northern Zone
Winter home heating is the largest concern in this climate region.
Therefore units with low rates of heat loss, or U-Factor
ratings, would be the best energy efficient
windows. Low
E glazing is often used on glass to lower U-Factor
rates.
Gas
filled windowswhen combined with low e coatings,
will go along way to even further insulate warm air.
North Central Zone
More care full considerations are needed. Heating costs are still more
likely to be of concern than home cooling costs, but some seasonal
trade offs are needed.
So energy star windows with low U-Factor ratings and moderately low Solar
Heat Gain ratings for the summer and spring may be
the best energy efficient windows for your home.
 South Central Zone
A trade off between reduced heat gain and reduced heat loss is more
likely needed in this zone than in any other throughout the United
States.
Energy star windows with low SHGC ratings and moderately low U factor
ratings will be the best replacement windows for energy savings minded
home owners living in this region.
Southern Zone
In the southern climate zone undoubtedly home cooling costs are the
primary concern. The best new home windows for you will be models that
have the lowest solar heat gain ratings.
Some low e
glazing can even further reduce solar
heat gain by insulating and deflecting unwanted daytime heat, lowering
your air conditioning costs.
Certified
energy star windows have to meet or exceed specific
performance standards, U factor rating and SHGC rating, in one or more
of the designated climate zones. Click here for specifics.
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