U-Factor

U-factor measures how well a product prevents heat from escaping a home or building. U-factor ratings generally fall between 0.15 and 1.20. The lower the U-factor, the better a product is at keeping heat inside the building. U-factor is particularly important during the winter heating season in colder climates. This label displays U-factor in U.S. units. Labels on products sold in markets outside the U.S. may display U-factor in metric units. What?s the Difference between U-factor and R-value? The biggest difference between U-factor and R-value is that U-factor measures the rate of heat transfer (or loss) while R-value measures the resistance to heat loss. R-value is a measure of conductance and resistance. A product with high conductance will conduct heat quickly, like a hot pan on the stove or a single pane of glass on a cold day. U-factor, on the other hand, takes into account more than conductance. It also is affected by the airflow (convection) around the window and the emissivity (radiated or reflected heat) of the glass.