When buying new windows for your home, it’s important to check their energy performance ratings. These ratings are a reliable way to determine the energy properties of your replacement windows. One rating you need to look out for is the solar heat gain coefficient or SHGC. It measures how much solar heat or radiation is absorbed by a window and released as heat inside a home.
To learn which SHGC rating best fits your windows, take the time to read this article from Howard Roofing & Home Improvements.
Cool Climates
If you live in colder climates, it’s best to purchase windows with a higher SHGC rating, particularly within the 0.30 to 0.60 range. This allows you to harness solar heat during winter, which can help efficiently warm the house. A higher SHGC rating can also reduce your reliance on your heating system, warming your home naturally and helping you save on your monthly energy bills. Meanwhile, if you also use air conditioning and cooling is a concern, consider windows with an SHGC of less than 0.40.
Warm Climates
On the other hand, homeowners in warmer climates would find it beneficial to install windows with an SHGC rating of less than 0.27. For greater comfort, it’s best to choose windows that don’t absorb that much heat. After all, the main concern in these Southern regions is keeping interiors cool during hot summer days while also maintaining reasonable air conditioning costs.
Mixed Climates
In the mixed climates of Northeastern and Midwest regions, heating and cooling are used, but the latter is used less often. Thus, windows with an SHGC of less than 0.40 are considered ideal in these locations. But if air conditioning costs can become high during warm months, investing in windows with an SHGC of less than 0.30 is a good idea.
Meanwhile, in the Southeast and central regions where homeowners use both heating and cooling, the SHGC rating for windows is also best kept under 0.30. If the heating system is extensively used in cold months, a lower SHGC rating may help reduce heavy AC usage.
Still not sure which SHGC rating is right for you? Get in touch with Howard Roofing & Home Improvements. We can help you determine which SHGC rating is best for your windows. Call us today at (636) 296-1057, or fill out our online contact form to request a free quote. We serve homeowners in Belleville, IL.