How to Choose Energy Efficient Windows for Your Lancaster PA Home

These days there are a lot of great options for replacement windows, but having so many to choose from can also make it difficult to know what type of window is right for your home. Below are the top three things that homeowners in Lancaster, Berks and Chester counties should consider when evaluating the energy efficiency of replacement windows.

The first step when choosing an energy-efficient replacement window is to look for products with the NFRC label.

The National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) has established a standard for rating the energy performance of windows, doors and skylights. The NFRC label will tell you how the window performs in terms of U-factor—the rate of heat loss through a window, and Solar Heat Gain (SHGC)—the rate of heat gain through a window.

The lower the U-Factor and SHGC, the more efficient the window is at stopping heat from escaping your home and preventing heat on hot days from entering your home.

Next, check the NFRC label for other important energy characteristics.

You want to look for replacement windows with a low Air Leakage rating (found on the NFRC label), which means they reduce the amount of air that passes through the window between the outside and inside of your home.

And be sure to review the label for Condensation Resistance; this rates how well the window can prevent condensation from forming. The higher the rating, the better the window performs.

Last, make sure the replacement window has an Energy Star rating.

The Energy Star rating was developed by the US Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency to designate products that meet certain criteria for energy performance.

Replacement windows with an Energy Star rating have met strict energy efficiency guidelines and will help you save money on your energy bills.

For additional information on energy ratings, visit the NFRC and Energy Star websites or contact Choice Home Remodeling at (717) 354-2003.