How to Find the Ideal Window SHGC Rating for Your Home

Finding the right windows for your home is vital. As you look into the many options available, one of the metrics you should consider is a window’s solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) rating. Installing windows with the right rating will help maintain comfortable indoor temperatures while providing natural light in your home. Hiring a window installation company knowledgeable about SHGC ratings will help ensure you get what you need for your home.

What Is SHGC?

SHGC is the amount of solar radiation that passes through a window and how much it gets absorbed by it. It is typically expressed as a number between 0 and 1, with higher values representing more heat entering your home. The lower the rate, the greater potential for energy efficiency compared to windows with higher ratings.

How Is SHGC Measured?

SHGC ratings are calculated from multiple tests with different energy performance standards designed specifically for each climate zone. With these standards in place, manufacturers can compute an expected rating for their products in various climates before manufacturing them.

Experts use a tool known as an integrating sphere spectrophotometer. It performs precise measurements on multiple samples taken at different temperatures over an extended period. This is to accurately determine a replacement window unit’s SHGC percentages.

Ideal SHGC Ratings

Remember, it helps to work with a local residential window services professional when figuring out the ideal SHGC ratings for your home. This ensures you get what’s best based on your needs and preferences. Two things must be considered when checking out different window ratings.

• Climate-Specific Recommendations. When selecting windows for your home, it is essential to consider the local climate. This means you should look for a window with an SHGC rating optimal for cooler temperatures and shorter summers. Most experts recommend choosing a window with an SHGC of 0.30 or higher on colder days and 0.40 or more on warmer days (20 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit).
• ENERGY STAR® Guidelines. The Department of Energy’s ENERGY STAR program provides guidelines to help customers choose windows with the right ratings for their needs and climates. Their latest report suggests that manufacturers produce windows suitably rated between 0.26  and 0.52 depending upon regionally specified requirements and other considerations, such as the type of ventilation or insulation used within the frame cavity.

Find Your Ideal SHGC Ratings With Renewal by Andersen® of Rapid City

When it comes to determining the energy efficiency of the window you’re looking to purchase, it helps to be aware of their energy performance ratings. As a trusted replacement window contractor, Renewal by Andersen of Rapid City has in-depth knowledge of SHGC ratings. Give us a call at (605) 341-7831, or fill out our convenient online form to get started. We serve residents in Rapid City and the surrounding SD communities.