The National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC)
The NFRC is a non-profit organization that provides independent, third-party certification and labeling of the energy performance of windows, doors, skylights, and other fenestration products. The NFRC label provides consumers with standardized information about a product’s energy performance, allowing them to make informed decisions when purchasing fenestration products.
When a window is described as having “NFRC Authorized Certification: Certified in all categories,” it means that the window has undergone testing and certification by the NFRC and has met the organization’s standards in all relevant performance categories. The certification is an assurance of the product’s quality and energy efficiency.
The key performance categories that the NFRC typically evaluates and certifies include:
- U-Factor: Measures the rate of heat transfer through the window, indicating how well the window insulates. Lower U-factors indicate better insulation.
- Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC): Measures the fraction of solar heat that is transmitted through the window. Lower SHGC values indicate less solar heat gain and better protection against overheating from sunlight.
- Visible Transmittance (VT): Measures the fraction of visible light that passes through the window. Higher VT values indicate more natural light and a clearer view through the window.
- Air Leakage (AL): Measures the rate of air infiltration through the window. Lower AL values indicate less air leakage and better airtightness.
- Condensation Resistance: Measures how well the window resists the formation of condensation on the interior surface.
When a window is “Certified in all categories,” it means that it has been independently tested and certified by the NFRC in each of these key performance categories. The NFRC label on the window will display the certified values for each category, allowing consumers to compare the energy performance of different fenestration products.