Energy-efficient windows help keep your utility costs down while enhancing the energy-saving capabilities of the windows themselves, thereby decreasing your home's ecological footprint. But what, exactly, makes a window an energy-efficient one? According to The National Fenestration Rating Council®, there are four features new windows must have to meet the qualifications of certified energy efficiency.

What to Look for in Energy-Efficient Windows

1. Solar Heat Gain Coefficient

The name may sound like a mouthful, but the concept is fairly straightforward. A window's solar heat gain coefficient is another way of gauging how well the window blocks heat. You want to look for an energy-efficient window with a low-number solar heat gain coefficient ranking; the lower the number, the less solar heat it lets in.

2. Visible Transmittance

One of the biggest benefits of new windows is the abundance of natural light they let in. Visible transmittance is the measurement of just how much light enters a window. Find a rating with a higher number; the higher the visible transmittance score, the more light you will enjoy.

3. Air Leakage

Air leakage numbers will tell you more about the insulative properties of the window. Specifically, you will be able to determine how much air seeps in through the small joints and cracks in the window. For the most energy-efficient option, select a window with a lower number.

4. Condensation Resistance

Some windows are more sensitive to condensation than others. They build up water or fog with significant temperature changes, but to operate at peak energy efficiency, a window should have strong condensation resistance. Seek out windows with a high number in this field, and you won't have to worry about your windows fogging up or blurring with condensation.

NuVue Products carries a full line of energy-efficient windows. With more than 60 years' experience, this team of window specialists has served the Cincinnati, OH, region for all their window installation and replacement needs. To start exploring their energy-efficient options, call (513) 631-1801 or visit them online today.