PROTECT YOUR HOME OR BUSINESS WHILE REDUCING YOUR MONTHLY ENERGY COSTS

Impact-resistant windows and doors not only protect you against storms, but they allow for protection against the hot Florida sun as well. For many South Florida residents, monthly cooling costs can average hundreds of dollars per month, but with the latest advances in design and construction, you can start reducing your energy waste and lower monthly FPL bills.

The most energy efficient windows meet ENERGY STAR standards as defined by the Department of Energy. They are reated by the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) for energy efficient properties. ENERGY STAR rated windows helps control heat loss and gains and have a mix of high R-values, low U-values, low E coatings, low SHGC (Solar Heat Gain Coefficients), high VT (Visible Transmittance) and measure air leakage.

R values measure the resistance to heat, while U factors measure the amount of heat that is transferred to a material. Low E, or “low emissivity”, indicates that the window has been treated with a metallic coating which reflect and radiates heat energy. Measured on a scale from 0 to 1, SHGC indicates how well the window transmits solar radiation, whereas VT values measures how much sunlight comes through a window on a scale from 0 and 1. Air leakage or “AL” indicates how much air passes or “leaks” through the cracks in the frame. These ratings are typically displayed on a sticker. The desired values for energy efficient windows for South Florida’s climate is:

• R Value should be between 2 and 3, though may not always be posted
• U Factor below .75
• SHGC lower than .4
• VT values between .3 and .8 (depending on the amount of light you want to let in) is most common
• AL lower than .3

If you are interested in learning more about energy efficiency in windows and doors, get in touch with one of our experts today! We are here to help answer you questions.