Best U-Factor and SHGC for Windows in District of Columbia
Data updated October 12, 2026.
ENERGY STAR Version 7.0 places all of District of Columbia in its North-Central climate zone. ENERGY STAR windows there need a U-factor of 0.25 or lower and an SHGC of 0.40 or lower.
Across District of Columbia, in the GlassBase heating and cooling model, replacing a single-pane window with an ENERGY STAR window saves 497 kWh per window per year. Upgrading a double-pane window saves 198 kWh.
What matters most for windows in District of Columbia
In District of Columbia, the modeled heating and cooling savings are of similar size: 287 kWh of heating load and 211 kWh of cooling load per window per year, for a single-pane to ENERGY STAR upgrade. Both ratings count here: U-factor for heat passing through the window, SHGC for solar heat coming in.
Results vary inside the state; see the city table below.
Modeled savings per window per year across District of Columbia
One window of 39 × 59 in (1 × 1.5 m), averaged over eight facing directions. Weather: the nearest TMY3 weather station.
| Upgrade | Heating saved, kWh/yr | Cooling saved, kWh/yr | Total, kWh/yr | Natural gas saved, therms/yr gas furnace |
Heat pump + AC, $/yr | Gas furnace + AC, $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single-pane → double-pane | 233 | 65 | 299 | 9.4 | 22 | 21 |
| Single-pane → ENERGY STAR (North-Central) | 287 | 211 | 497 | 11.5 | 38 | 37 |
| Double-pane → ENERGY STAR (North-Central) | 53 | 145 | 198 | 2.1 | 16 | 16 |
Dollar figures use District of Columbia average prices, not your utility's rate. Electricity $0.2194/kWh: District of Columbia residential average, 2025. Source: U.S. EIA, Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.B, residential sector, year-to-date through December 2025, retrieved 2026-10-06. Natural gas $1.61/therm: District of Columbia residential average, 2025. Source: U.S. EIA, Natural Gas Prices: price delivered to residential consumers, and heat content of natural gas delivered to consumers, 2025, retrieved 2026-10-06. Heat pump COP 3.2, air conditioner COP 2.5, gas furnace efficiency 85%.
The single-pane and double-pane windows use values from the calculator's reference-window table; the ENERGY STAR window is at the North-Central zone limits. kWh here measures heat, not electricity on a bill. Air leakage and the rest of the house are not modeled. Model version tmy3-hourly-iso13790/f4822a26309b, data run October 12, 2026. How the model works.
Cities in District of Columbia
Modeled savings per window per year in District of Columbia cities with a GlassBase page.
| City | ENERGY STAR zone | Total, kWh/yr single-pane → ENERGY STAR | Total, kWh/yr double-pane → ENERGY STAR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | North-Central | 497 | 198 |
Payback of each upgrade in District of Columbia
Calculate savings for your ZIP code
Compare states: window energy savings by state.
Frequently asked questions
Which ENERGY STAR climate zone is my home in?
All of District of Columbia is in the North-Central zone. The ENERGY STAR climate zone finder gives the zone for an address.
How much can new windows save in District of Columbia?
Across District of Columbia, for a single-pane to ENERGY STAR upgrade, the GlassBase heating and cooling model saves 497 kWh per window per year. At District of Columbia's 2025 average prices from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), the single-pane to ENERGY STAR upgrade is worth about $38 per window per year with a heat pump. Results differ from place to place; use the calculator for your ZIP code.
Is the ENERGY STAR zone the same as the building code climate zone?
No. ENERGY STAR uses four zones of its own, assigned by state and county. Building energy codes use the IECC climate zones, a separate map with its own window requirements. A window can meet one and not the other, so check both if your project needs a permit.