For a quick, accurate way to compare the energy efficiency of windows and doors, check the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) energy performance ratings. NFRC ratings helps you determine how well a product will help cool your home in the summer, warm it in the winter, keep out wind, and resist condensation. By using this information, you can reliably compare one product to another, while making informed decisions about which windows and doors to buy.
In 2005, the NFRC adopted a new energy performance label that lists the manufacturer, describes the product, provides a source for additional information, and includes ratings for one or more energy performance characteristics.
For a list of all Andersen® window and door product ratings, visit our Technical Documents library of NFRC Performance reports. Here you’ll find ratings for the following categories:
- U-Factor: The U-Factor indicates how well a product prevents heat from escaping. The lower the U-Factor (U-Value), the greater a window’s resistance to heat flow and the better its insulating value.
- Solar Heat Gain Coefficient: Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) measures how well a product blocks heat caused by sunlight, and is expressed as a number between 0 and 1. The lower a window’s solar heat gain coefficient, the less solar heat it transmits in the house. Simply put: the lower the number, the more the glass blocks heat from the sun.
- Visible Transmittance: Visible transmittance (VT) refers to how much visible light comes through a product. The VT is an optical property that indicates the amount of visible light transmitted, and is expressed as a number between 0 and 1. The higher the VT, the more light is transmitted; or, the higher the number, the better.
The ENERGY STAR® service mark is an international standard for energy efficient consumer products that originated in the United States. It was created in 1992 during the Clinton Administration by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy. Devices carrying the ENERGY STAR service mark, such as computer products and peripherals, kitchen appliances, windows and doors, generally use 20 to 30 percent less energy than required by federal standards.
Look for products that meet ENERGY STAR performance criteria in your climate zone. It’s not the only way to determine energy efficiency, but it’s a very good start.
ENERGY STAR qualified windows and doors can reduce your energy bills between 7 to 15 percent, while helping protect the environment. For information on buying and installing the right window and door product, how they will perform in your climate, or how to install them to maximize your energy savings, visit the ENERGY STAR website.
View NFRC/ENERGY STAR® Qualifications for Andersen A-Series, 400 Series, 200 Series, and 100 Series products.
At Andersen, we take saving energy seriously. Whether you’re replacing, remodeling or building, whether you do-it-yourself or hire a qualified professional, improving energy efficiency is an important first step for homeowners interested in “going green.” Whether you’re interested in lowering cooling costs or optimizing heat gain, Andersen has a glazing option to fit your needs.
When it comes to sustainability, there’s nothing sustainable or green about a product that fails to perform and has to be replaced. What is most important is durability or finding products that will last. From energy efficiency and durability to low maintenance, Andersen designs and builds windows and doors that are among the best-performing products in the industry. It’s been that way for more than a hundred years, and Andersen is committed to constant innovation as well as rigorous testing of performance and quality to make sure we continue setting the highest possible bar for performance. That’s why peace of mind comes standard on all Andersen windows and doors.
In terms of energy efficiency, window and door quality ranks at the top of any “green” or “high performance” list of priorities. As a consumer, you become more aware of how a window’s energy performance rating affects real energy usage and the true cost of home ownership. So as energy prices rise, doing it right the first time results in real savings.
Respect for the environment is nothing new to Andersen. That goes for the energy efficiency of the windows and doors we make and also for our manufacturing processes that produce them. Our practice of recycling and reclaiming materials began simple because it was good business. Now it’s part of our effort to promote sustainability and responsible stewardship of all resources. At Andersen, we believe in providing you with innovative, long-lasting, energy-efficient windows and doors while supporting the environment. For more than a century, it’s been part of who we are.