Winter Heat LossTM

Heat transfer always occurs from a higher temperature object to a cooler temperature object. In the winter, heat usually travels from the inside of your house to the outdoors. Winter Heat Loss (scientists call it U-factor) measures this heat transfer which is primarily caused by conduction and convection.

Conduction

Energy is transferred through direct contact.

Our Defense Against Conduction

Insulated Glass almost eliminates the connection between the inside of your home and outside at the glass - no connections, no convection.

Foam Filled Frames insulates the connection point between the inside and outside of your home at the frame - insulated connection reduces convection.

Warm Edge Spacer at the edge of the glass lessens the connection point by its U-shaped design as opposed to a square shaped design - less connection, less convection.

Convection

Energy is transferred through air, gas or liquid.

Our Defense Against Convection

Argon Gas between the panes of glass. Argon is slower-moving than air and thus minimizes convection currents within this air space.

 

 

 

Winter Heat Loss Numbers

The Insulation Value number represents how much heat is transferred through your entire window. So a lower number is better.  An Insulation Value of 1 is roughly what a single pane window receives.  Add dual pane glass and that number will come down about 50% to roughly .50, add a low-e coating and the Insulation Value will come down roughly another  30% to about a .35.  Adding multiple layers of low-e coating and low-e coating and argon gas will bring it down to .30 and below based on the quality of the window frame and glass. Beware of window companies that measure the center of the glass. These numbers will be lower but you are not buying just the center of the glass, you are buying an entire window.  Our numbers represent the entire window.


    Example:
 

What about R-factors (or R-values)?

Some people are familiar with R-factors. R-factors measure heat resistance; so the higher the R-factor the better. Winter Heat Loss (U-factor) measures heat transference; so the lower the U-factor the better. Wall and ceiling insulation is measured by heat resistance - R-factors. The EPA has required windows and doors to be measured by heat transference - U-factor. The inverse of heat transfer (U-factor) is heat resistance (R-factor). So 1 divided by the U-factor is the R-factor. One divided by .28 equates to a 3.57 R-factor.

New Replacement Windows - Windows Indianapolis IN
Your house replacement windows should be the best replacement window on the market.  Good replacement window reviews are hard to find.  ReplaceSmart recommends basing your decision on The National Fenestration Rating Council’s (NFRC) certified numbers and how much the window costs.  Sometimes that can be harder than it sounds as some companies require you to let them come out to your home to get window prices.  And even then, you usually don’t end up with a cost per window or a price per window broken out by material and labor.  Many time they don’t give you the NFRC numbers for each replacement window either.  They like to group it all together.  That usually means they are hiding something.  Always get detailed numbers before you buy.  Andersen windows and doors (or Anderson Windows Doors) are not the most insulating window made as per the NFRC published u-values.  Anderson window repair or Andersen window repair can be costly as compared to new windows from ReplaceSmart.  Even window sash replacement or a replacement window sash can be more costly than new replacement windows.  Anderson Windows and Doors, many times referred to as Anderson Doors and Windows or Anderson Doors Windows is correctly spelled Andersen Windows.  Renewal by Andersen is Andersen Windows replacements cost center.  They usually do not provide window prices without a visit to your home unlike ReplaceSmart.  ReplaceSmart provides window replacement service; we replace glass windows and offer replacement window installation.  This is all referred to by some as replacement windows installation.