In climates such as southern and central Arizona, including Phoenix, replacement windows will make a perceptible improvement in the comfort level of your house and in your utility bills. Combined with the benefits related to energy and money savings, energy efficient replacement windows also improve the appearance of a home, make it quieter, allow less dust to enter a home, protect the interior (carpet, rugs, floors, furniture, window coverings, art, pictures) against fading produced by ultraviolet light, let more light in and reduce condensation on the windows.

Window Ratings
With in excess of 300 days of sun per year, how effectively a window prevents the heat and ultraviolet rays from the sun is very important. Energy Star windows are scored in 5 categories. The U-Factor and the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient measure the amount of heat a window transfers and are the most important rankings to focus on when shopping for replacement windows for a Phoenix home.

Solar Heat Gain
Solar heat gain represents the volume of the sun's energy stated more precisely transmitted through a window. The sun's heat is passed through the glass and the window frame and sash. The frame and sash can make up 10-30% of the total area of a window so the frame construction is a critical factor. Windows utilize a number of techniques to minimize solar gain.

Low-E Coatings
Low-E coatings minimize the heat and ultraviolet rays passing through a window. Low-E coatings are very thin, invisible metal layers attached to the glass. High, medium and low solar gain versions of Low-E coatings are readily available. To further reduce solar gain, many double pane windows include Low-E coatings on both pieces of glass.

Gas Fillings
The space between the panes of glass in dual pane windows which can be filled with gas (Argon gas or Krypton gas). This gap can be filled air or gas (Argon gas or Krypton gas). Being denser than air, the gasses make it tougher for hot or cold air to pass through. Krypton is the denser of the two gasses and requires a narrower gap between the panes but is more expensive. The gasses are non-toxic so a damaged window does not create a health risk.

Window Frames
Vinyl windows frames are made with hollow spaces inside which can be filled with insulation to enhance their thermal performance. Aluminum transmits heat very well so aluminum windows posses poor thermal performance unless a thermal break is added. A material which transmits heat very poorly is positioned between the aluminum pieces on the interior and exterior of the window to create a thermal break.

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