Best U-Factor and SHGC for Windows in Massachusetts

Data updated October 12, 2026.

ENERGY STAR Version 7.0 places all of Massachusetts in its Northern climate zone. ENERGY STAR windows there need a U-factor of 0.22 or lower and an SHGC of 0.17 or higher.

Across Massachusetts, in the GlassBase heating and cooling model, replacing a single-pane window with an ENERGY STAR window saves 538 kWh per window per year. Upgrading a double-pane window saves 168 kWh.

In the Northern zone, the SHGC limit is a minimum, not a maximum. ENERGY STAR also lets a window with a slightly higher U-factor qualify if its SHGC is high enough to collect more winter sun. See window energy ratings in the US for the full table.

What matters most for windows in Massachusetts

In Massachusetts, most of the modeled saving comes from heating: 410 kWh of heating load against 128 kWh of cooling load per window per year, for a single-pane to ENERGY STAR upgrade. U-factor measures how fast heat passes through the window. A lower U-factor means less heat lost in winter.

Results vary inside the state; see the city table below.

Modeled savings per window per year across Massachusetts

One window of 39 × 59 in (1 × 1.5 m), averaged over eight facing directions. Weather: 22 TMY3 weather stations.

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	346	24	370	13.9	36	37
Single-pane → ENERGY STAR (Northern)	410	128	538	16.5	55	56
Double-pane → ENERGY STAR (Northern)	64	104	168	2.6	19	19

Dollar figures use Massachusetts average prices, not your utility's rate. Electricity $0.3048/kWh: Massachusetts 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 $2.43/therm: Massachusetts 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 Northern 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 Massachusetts

Modeled savings per window per year in Massachusetts cities with a GlassBase page.

City	ENERGY STAR zone	Total, kWh/yr single-pane → ENERGY STAR	Total, kWh/yr double-pane → ENERGY STAR
Worcester	Northern	559	148
Lynn	Northern	534	157
New Bedford	Northern	512	175
Stoughton	Northern	567	188
West Roxbury	Northern	567	188

Payback of each upgrade in Massachusetts

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 Massachusetts is in the Northern zone. The ENERGY STAR climate zone finder gives the zone for an address.

How much can new windows save in Massachusetts?

Across Massachusetts, for a single-pane to ENERGY STAR upgrade, the GlassBase heating and cooling model saves 538 kWh per window per year. At Massachusetts's 2025 average prices from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), the single-pane to ENERGY STAR upgrade is worth about $55 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.