There is a new buzz word in the replacement window world.  At the present time, Energy Star Labels carry huge weight when it comes to establishing a window's worth and in the near future (2013) we will all be evaluating our window buying decisions on the R-5 rating system which needs to be fully understood.

Let's look at the basics:

Currently, in the Mid-Atlantic region, in order for a replacement window to be considered "Energy Star Qualified" it must have a U-Factor equal to or less than .32 and a Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) of equal to or less than .40.  These figures qualify for the tax credit in our region and in many ways if a window achieves these ratings then the end user can certainly expect to see immediate results in terms of the home's overall comfort as well as a reduction is energy costs.

Now, let's compare these figures to a window that has an R-5 rating.  The way to compare is to measure the U-Factor and the SHGC. 
Energy Label  | U-Factor  | SHGC

Energy Star  |   .32              |    .40
R-5                      |  .22               |   .28

Request a free consultation today with one of our trained representatives to learn more about your options when it comes to new replacement windows for your home.