Window Energy Efficiency: SHGC

Window Energy Efficiency: SHGC

by | Aug 28, 2020 | Energy Efficiency | 0 comments

In a consistently hot climate, keeping solar heat outside your house should be a high priority. There’s no shortage of solutions on the market: insulation, specialized roof tiles, and more all claim to keep your home at a comfortable temperature. But there’s one particularly important part of your home that can contribute immensely to a more comfortable climate: your windows.

Houston homeowners want to keep their homes cool and thus generally prefer windows that transmit as little exterior heat as possible. If this is your biggest concern when window shopping, keep an eye out for your new windows’ solar heat gain coefficient, or SHGC.

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What Does SHGC Mean?

SHGC (solar heat gain coefficient) refers to how much solar infrared energy a window permits into the house. This includes infrared radiation that passes directly through the window as well as any that the window absorbs and releases later. This rating includes the window glass as well as the frame itself and any dividers, since any part of the window can transmit heat. The lower a window’s SHGC value, the less solar infrared radiation it allows through.

Pro Tip: A window with a low SHGC rating is only designed to keep solar heat outside. These types of windows won’t darken your house.

Why is This Important?

Solar infrared radiation is a significant part of what makes sunlight feel warm. On hot, sunny days, uninhibited sunlight streaming into your house carries a large amount of this radiation indoors and, since the heat is trapped, can raise your home’s temperature significantly. A window with a good SHGC value is designed to keep this under control, keeping your home at a comfortable temperature and lowering your AC bill in the process. This can also reduce the load on your AC system, helping it have a longer lifespan.

Balancing Your Home’s Heat

A window with an excellent SHGC rating helps keep your home cooler without sacrificing any natural sunlight. Even better, the excellent insulation also seals your climate-controlled air inside! Your house’s temperature will be pleasant no matter what time of year it is.

Contact us to find your new windows.