Texas Replacement Window Tips
Texas is a large state that has different types of climates. Understanding your climate zone will help you buy windows that are the most energy efficient and will perform the best for the area you live in. The biggest mistake a homeowner can make when shopping for windows is to think that windows are pretty much all the same. Windows have evolved so much that today we know a glass option suitable for the northern region might not necessarily mean it will perform as well for a southern region area.
A window is rated on five different areas U-Factor, Solar Heat Gain Coefficient, Air Leakage, Visible Transmittance, and Condensation Resistance. NFRC is an independent rating standard that rates how a window performs in these five areas. When you’re considering a window, the NFRC label will display numbers in each area, and you can match them to the recommended numbers for your regional area according to the Energystar Regional Zone Map.
According to the Energy Star Regional Zone Map, Texas has different climate types North-Central, South Central, and Southern.
Energy Star Texas
North Central Region (Yellow)
| U-Factor | SHGC | Air Leakage |
| Windows: U ≤ 0.30 Skylights: U ≤ 0.53 |
Windows: SHGC ≤ 0.40 Skylights: SHGC ≤ 0.35 |
Windows: AL ≤ 0.30 Skylights: AL ≤ 0.30 |
South Central Region (Orange)
| U-Factor | SHGC | Air Leakage |
| Windows: U ≤ 0.30 Skylights: U ≤ 0.53 |
Windows: SHGC ≤ 0.25 Skylights: SHGC ≤ 0.28 |
Windows: AL ≤ 0.30 Skylights: AL ≤ 0.30 |
Southern Region (Red)
| U-Factor | SHGC | Air Leakage |
| Windows: U ≤ 0.40 Skylights: U ≤ 0.60 |
Windows: SHGC ≤ 0.25 Skylights: SHGC ≤ 0.28 |
Windows: AL ≤ 0.30 Skylights: AL ≤ 0.30 |
NFRC Rating Label Examples for Texas
If you live in a part of Texas that’s in the North Central Region, you will want to purchase windows with an NFRC label similar to what you see on the right. The label shows a U-factor of 0.27, a Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) of 0.40, and an Air Leakage rating of ≤ 0.30. According to the table above, the window meets the recommendations for the North Central Region.
If you live in a part of Texas that’s in the South Central Region, you will want to purchase windows with an NFRC label similar to what you see on the right below the first label. The label shows a U-factor of 0.20, a Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) of 0.25, and an Air Leakage rating of ≤ 0.30. According to the table above, the window meets the recommendations for the South Central Region
And if you live in a part of Texas that’s in the Southern Region, you will want to purchase windows with an NFRC label similar to what you see on the right below the second label. The label shows a U-factor of 0.35, a Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) of 0.20, and an Air Leakage rating of ≤ 0.30. According to the table above, the window meets the recommendations for the Southern Region
