Arizona Home Windows — What to know about Heat Transfer

Clear Cut Glass, an Arizona home window and glass company, explains heat transfer.

When homeowners start looking into replacing their windows with more energy efficient ones they often come across terms reported by companies that have tested their products. Many people don’t know that sunlight is comprised of several different kinds of light or wavelengths.

These include visible light, infrared light (heat), and ultraviolet light (the kind that causes sunburns). The terms used to describe the type and amount of light transference can be confusing. Clear Cut Glass explains three of the most common terms you will come across.

Heat and Visible Light Terms:

U-Factor: The U-factor of a window is a ratio that tells how energy efficient it is by calculated the rate that (non-solar) heat is transferred. The lower the U-factor, the more energy efficient the window is. The U-factor is calculated by

Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC): A solar heat gain coefficient is a measurement of the solar radiation transmitted through the window. A low SHGC is ideal for Arizona as low SHGC windows better block the heat from the sun.

Visible Transmittance (VT): Visible transmittance is how much visible light is let through a window. VT is expressed with a number between zero and one, with one being the most visible light transmitted. Depending on your home and needs for light depends on what VT levels would be optimum for your home.

To learn more about Clear Cut Glass or to request a free estimate, visit our website at ClearCutGlass.com  or better yet, give us a call at 602-490-0550.