Energy efficiency is one of the many factors you need to consider when in the market for replacement windows. As you do your shopping, you might come across some important terms you might not be familiar with – one of which is solar heat gain.
What Is Solar Heat Gain?
Solar heat gain refers to how much solar radiation is admitted through a window, door or skylight. When sunlight falls on your window, it can either pass through or bounce off. If heat passes through your window, it warms up your home’s interior. Windows with low solar heat gain only let a little amount of warm light through, while windows with a high number allow a lot.
You should determine whether solar heat gain can be beneficial to your home or not. This may depend on your area’s climate. If you live in a cool climate, solar heat gain can be advantageous. The warmth from the sun can stream through high-transmission windows and warm up your cold rooms without turning on the heat. The opposite is true in warm areas. In warm regions, it’s best to invest in windows with a low solar heat gain. Otherwise, you may have to crank up your air conditioner to deal with the extra heat from your windows.
How Can You Manage Solar Heat Gain?
It may be quite complicated to buy replacement windows with solar heat gain in mind, especially if your local climate involves extreme temperatures. After all, it’s not practical to install low-gain windows every spring and replace them with high-gain windows when it gets cold. For this reason, you need to consider the best window placement.
Since north-facing windows get little direct sunlight, consider installing high-gain windows on that side of your house. Areas that can be cold even in temperate weather can also benefit from high solar gain windows. On the other hand, low-gain windows should be installed on the south side of your house, where the sun shines the most.
As the top window installers in Rockford, IL, Lask Exterior Solutions, LLC is happy to assist you with your window replacement project. We also provide top-quality gutter covers and more. Call us today at (815) 964-2220, or fill out our online contact form to set an appointment.