Best U-Factor and SHGC for Windows in Minnesota
Data updated October 12, 2026.
ENERGY STAR Version 7.0 places all of Minnesota 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 Minnesota, in the GlassBase heating and cooling model, replacing a single-pane window with an ENERGY STAR window saves 727 kWh per window per year. Upgrading a double-pane window saves 223 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 Minnesota
In Minnesota, most of the modeled saving comes from heating: 577 kWh of heating load against 150 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 Minnesota
One window of 39 × 59 in (1 × 1.5 m), averaged over eight facing directions. Weather: 63 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 | 475 | 29 | 504 | 19.1 | 25 | 22 |
| Single-pane → ENERGY STAR (Northern) | 577 | 150 | 727 | 23.2 | 38 | 34 |
| Double-pane → ENERGY STAR (Northern) | 102 | 121 | 223 | 4.1 | 13 | 12 |
Dollar figures use Minnesota average prices, not your utility's rate. Electricity $0.1582/kWh: Minnesota 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 $1.04/therm: Minnesota 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 Minnesota
Modeled savings per window per year in Minnesota cities with a GlassBase page.
| City | ENERGY STAR zone | Total, kWh/yr single-pane → ENERGY STAR | Total, kWh/yr double-pane → ENERGY STAR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis | Northern | 711 | 218 |
| Saint Paul | Northern | 712 | 224 |
| Duluth | Northern | 702 | 155 |
| Eden Prairie | Northern | 750 | 257 |
| Minnetonka | Northern | 750 | 257 |
Payback of each upgrade in Minnesota
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 Minnesota is in the Northern zone. The ENERGY STAR climate zone finder gives the zone for an address.
How much can new windows save in Minnesota?
Across Minnesota, for a single-pane to ENERGY STAR upgrade, the GlassBase heating and cooling model saves 727 kWh per window per year. At Minnesota'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.