Energy-Efficient Windows

Abstract:-
Electro chromic windows (ECW) or the so called Smart
windows are characterized by their ability to vary the throughput of radiant
energy (visible light as well as solar energy) by electrical voltage pulse
ECWs have an uni!ue application potential" especially for new energy
technologies and efficient use of energy in buildings #his article covers
various issues li$e the ECW%s design and fabrication "materials and
techni!ues for preparation of the components that integrate to form ECWs"
the mechanism of involved processes" performance characteristics of
individual components and the finished ECW product and special techni!ues
to assess them Covering the national and international scenario of the
present electro chromic technologies and the ECWs " the future ECW
technology is predicted to be driven by nanotechnology" yielding ECWs with
much superior performance
&
1.Introduction:-
'n commercial as well as residential buildings energy re!uirements are
generally met with electricity ( ma)or part of it is used in space
conditioning Energy performance of a building (E*+) is decided by the
amount of energy,electricity cost Efforts are on to minimize or completely
cut down the e-penditure of electricity without losing thermal and visual
comfort Solar passive structures offer a solution by reducing electricity
consumption for heating and lighting through careful designing of windows
and other components of the building
Windows bring light" warmth" and beauty into buildings and give
a feeling of openness and space to living areas #hey can also be ma)or
sources of heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer 'n &../ alone"
the energy used to offset unwanted heat losses and gains through windows in
residential and commercial buildings cost the 0nited States 12/ billion (one,
fourth of all the energy used for space heating and cooling) 3owever" when
properly selected and installed" windows can help minimize a home4s
heating" cooling" and lighting costs #his publication describes one option5
energy,efficient windows5available for reducing a home4s heating and
cooling energy re!uirements
'n tropical countries" solar heat gain through windows are
e-cessive in summer or daytime with conse!uent increased use of air,
conditioners or coolers With more and more structure coming up every year
the cost of rendering thermal comfort is escalating #inted or heat absorbing
glasses with choice of colours contributing aesthetically to the appearance of
the buildings cut down about 6/ to 7/8 of the incoming solar radiation "
thereby enhancing the effectiveness of the air conditioning 3owever " the
main limitation is that of the static modulation of the radiation offered
them +y actively managing lighting and cooling " smart windows could
reduce pea$ electric loads by 2/,6/8 in many commercial buildings "
2
increase day lighting benefits " improve comfort " and potentially enhance
productivity in homes and offices
2.What makes a window energy efficient?
9ulti,pane glass is no longer the main measure of efficiency 'n the
past two decades" new advanced technologies and designs have
dramatically improved the performance of the most energy efficient
windows :lass coatings" gas fills" warm edge spacers" and improved
framing materials enable E;E<:= S#(< !ualified windows to deliver
more benefits than simple double pane windows
Measuring the Efficiency of Windows !oors and "ky#ights
6
$he %-&actor tells you how well the window insulates #he lower the 0,
>actor" the better the window performs #ypical 0,>actor values range
from /2? to &2?
$he "o#ar 'eat (ain )oefficient *"'()+ tells you how well the product
bloc$s heat caused by sunlight #he lower the S3:C" the less solar heat the
window lets in S3:C values are given on a scale from / to &
Im,ro-ed &rame Materia#s
Window frames have the greatest impact on the insulating capacity
of the window 'n <egions with cold winters" such as the E;E<:= S#(<
;orthern" ;orth@Central" and South@Central Climate Aones" E;E<:=
S#(< !ualified windows use wood" wood composites" vinyl" and
fiberglass for frames 'n regions with a mild cold season or none at all"
windows with aluminum frames can be energy efficient #hermally bro$en
aluminum frames are generally more efficient than their solid aluminum
counterparts 'n warmer climates" there is little ris$ of condensation with
aluminum frames
Mu#ti,#e g#a.ings *Mu#ti-,ane+ 9ultiple panes improve the energy
efficiency of windows" but adding other advanced technologies is
necessary to achieve the greatest efficiency When Bow,E coatings" gas
fills" warm edge spacers" and improved framing materials are used" more
than two panes are rarely necessary" e-cept in e-treme climates (dditional
panes may be desirable for other purposes" such as increasing impact
resistance
(#ass )oatings ( low,emittance (or CBow,EC) glass coating is a
microscopically thin film applied to the glass #his coating $eeps heat
inside in winter and outside in summer Choose a Bow,E coating based on
your climate
7
3igh Solar :ain Bow,E , #hese coatings allow as much heat from
the sun to enter the house as clear glass 3igh solar gain coatings offer
the greatest energy savings in regions with cool summers and very cold
winters (the E;E<:= S#(< ;orthern Climate Aone) Windows with
high solar gain Bow,E coatings generally have Solar 3eat :ain
Coefficients between /?D and /E?
9oderate Solar :ain Bow,E , #hese coatings screen a portion of
the sun4s heat" $eeping the home cooler in summer but admitting a good
amount of solar heat in winter 9oderate solar gain Bow,E coatings offer
the greatest energy savings in regions with moderately hot summers and
cold winters (the E;E<:= S#(< ;orth@Central Climate Aone)
Windows with moderate solar gain Bow,E generally have Solar 3eat
:ain Coefficients between /7& and /??
Bow Solar :ain Bow,E , #hese coatings screen the most heat from
the sun Bow solar gain Bow,E coatings offer the greatest energy savings
in regions with very hot summers and either cold or mild winters (the
E;E<:= S#(< South@Central and Southern Climate Aones) +y
bloc$ing ultraviolet radiation" these coatings also reduce fading of
furniture" floor coverings" artwor$" and window treatments Windows
with low solar gain Bow,E generally have Solar 3eat :ain Coefficients
between /2/ and /7/
(as &i## Some energy efficient windows have (rgon" Frypton" or other
gases between the panes #hese odorless" colorless" non,to-ic gases
provide better insulation and a lower 0,>actor 9any windows !ualify for
E;E<:= S#(< using only air Windows with spacings of at least &@2 inch
for air or (rgon fill and at least 6@7 inch for Frypton perform best
Warm Edge ",acers ( spacer $eeps a window4s glazing layers the right
distance apart 'n the past" spacers were made of aluminum 'n cold
climates" aluminum can cause significant heat loss" leading to
condensation on the window #oday4s warm edge spacers,,made of steel"
foam" fiberglass" or vinyl,,lower the 0,>actor and prevent condensation
?
Im,ro-ed Weather "tri,,ing Weather stripping has also improved over
the last 2/ years 9ore durable" better performing plastic weather stripping
is used in most E;E<:= S#(< !ualified windows
/.'0W E1E2(3 E&&I)IE1$ WI1!0W" W024
Energy efficient windows use several technologies to limit heat
loss
Mu#ti,#e ,anes limit heat loss by trapping a layer of insulating air
#his air layer acts much li$e a coat" creating a still layer of air between the
warm inside air and the cold outside air Gual panes are now standard for
most windows
(as fi##s :asses such as argon and $rypton are heavier than air"
thereby slowing the movement of heat between the glass panes
5ow emittance coating #hese coating are thin" invisible layers of
metal put down on the window surface to reflect heat li$e a mirror #o get an
idea of the effect of these coatings" ta$e a piece of aluminum foil and hold it
over the bac$ of your hand =ou will feel the heat being reflected bac$ #he
low,e coatings have the same effect" reflecting bac$ interior warmth into the
room instead of letting the heat go out of the house through the glass
",acers and frames Spacers are strips of material that separate
panes of glass Since spacers conduct heat between the panes" they should
be made of low heatconducting material such as silicone or steel #his will
ma$e the window more efficient and minimize condensation around the edge
of the glass :ood frame materials are also important Wood" vinyl"
fiberglass and composites are the most energy efficient
'eating bi## sa-ings Hn a cold winter day" up to 6/ percent of a
home%s heat can be lost through poor windows #he energy savings from
new windows can easily add up to 1&// a year
Im,ro-ed comfort Efficient windows lea$ less cold air +ecause the glass
is warmer" they are also more comfortable to be near
D
2educed condensation Efficient windows are much less li$ely to
develop condensation in the wintertime
2educed fading Bow,e coating can bloc$ ultraviolet light that leads
to fading of fabrics and carpets
6. MA$E2I A5"
$y,es of (#a.ing Materia#s
E
#raditionally" clear glass has been the primary material
available for window panes in homes 3owever" in recent years" the mar$et
for glazing5or cutting and fitting window panes into frames5has
changed significantly ;ow several types of special glazings are available
that can help control heat loss and condensation
5ow-emissi-ity *#ow-e+ g#ass has a special surface coating to
reduce heat transfer bac$ through the window #hese coatings reflect
from 7/8 to E/8 of the heat that is normally transmitted through clear
glass" while allowing the full amount of light to pass through
'eat-absorbing g#ass contains special tints that allow it to
absorb as much as 7?8 of the incoming solar energy" reducing heat gain
Some of the absorbed heat" however" passes through the window by
conduction and reradiation
2ef#ecti-e g#ass has been coated with a reflective film
and is useful in controlling solar heat gain during the summer 't also
reduces the passage of light all year long" and" li$e heat,absorbing glass"
it reduces solar transmittance
7#astic g#a.ing materia#s5acrylic" polycarbonate"
polyester" polyvinyl fluoride" and polyethylene5are also widely
available *lastics can be stronger" lighter" cheaper" and easier to cut than
glass Some plastics also have higher solar transmittance than glass
3owever" plastics tend to be less durable and more susceptible to the
effects of weather than is glass
"torm windows can increase the efficiency of single,pane
windows"the least energy,efficient type of glazing #he simplest type of
storm window is a plastic film taped to the inside of the window frame
#hese films are usually available in prepac$aged $its (lthough plastic
films are easily installed and removed" they are easily damaged and may
reduce visibility <igid or semirigid plastic sheets such as ple-iglass"
I
acrylic" polycarbonate" or fiber,reinforced polyester can be fastened
directly to the window frame or mounted in channels around the frame5
usually on the outside of the building #hese more durable materials are
also available in $its
8.Window $y,es
When you%re considering what $ind of window to choose" you%ll
find you have a lot of things to thin$ about J style" color" durability and
energy efficiency When you thin$ about the energy performance of
windows" you%ll need to consider the whole window including the glass and
the frame
5ayers of (#ass and Air ",aces
8.1 "tandard sing#e-,ane glass has very little insulating value
(appro-imately <,&) 't provides only a thin barrier to the outside and can
account for considerable heat loss and gain #raditionally" the approach to
improve a window4s energy efficiency has been to increase the number of
glass panes in the unit" because multiple layers of glass increase the
window4s ability to resist heat flow
8.2 !oub#e-or tri,#e-,ane windows have insulating air, or
gas,filled spaces between each pane Each layer of glass and the air spaces
resist heat flow #he width of the air spaces between the panes is important"
because air spaces that are too wide (more than ?@I inch or &D centimeters)
or too narrow (less than &@2 inch or &6 centimeters) have lower <,values
(ie" they allow too much heat transfer) (dvanced" multi,pane windows
are now manufactured with inert gases (argon or $rypton) in the spaces
between the panes because these gases transfer less heat than does air
8./ Mu#ti-,ane windows are considerably more e-pensive
than single,pane windows and limit framing options because of their
increased weight
.
8.6 5ow-E Windows Clear glass has a high emissivity J
heat easily passes through it So while the sun4s energy easily passes
through the glass during the day" this property also allows radiate heat to
easily leave the warmer house to the cooler outdoors ( low,emissivity" or
Bow,E" coating is a very thin" transparent layer applied to the glass to
reduce the amount of energy (radiant heat and ultraviolet rays) that passes
through the window #hat helps to save energy and reduce fading of room
furnishings #he Bow,E coating is usually placed on the surface of one of
the panes ad)acent to the trapped air space J surface 2 or 6 (see diagram)
( double glazed window with a Bow,E coating has about the
same insulating value as an uncoated triple glazed unit #he Bow,E coating
improves the insulating value of the double glazed window from <,2 to <,6
or <,7 J depending on the type of coating #here are two main types of Bow,
E coatings Hften referred to as northern or hard,coat Bow,E" this coating
type ma-imize solar heat gains and reduce heat loss at night Southern or
soft,coat Bow,E on the other hand reduces solar heat gain and heat loss at
night (s$ your window contractor what type is best for your home Either
type will reduce your heating costs giving you a paybac$ on the incremental
cost within a reasonably short period of time
Ad-antages of 5ow-E windows
<educed fading of carpets" drapes and furniture
<educed mildew and deterioration of the window frame
'ncreased comfort near windows
Bower energy bills for years to come
8.8E9terior "torm Windows
E-terior storm windows were once very common in Canadian
houses and continue to serve a useful role in many applications #hey are
usually constructed of a wood or metal frame" with glass or an acrylic sheet
as glazing
&/

#o replace weatherstripping on a sliding window" remove the sash
and pull the old weatherstripping out of its slot Cut the new
weatherstripping to the length re!uired" and snap or slide it into the slot #ac$
or staple the ends of the brush to ensure that it stays in place before re,
installing the sash
E-terior storm windows can be either seasonal (installed in the fall
and removed in the spring) or permanent Seasonal storm windows should be
inspected each year before installation to ensure that the glazing" putty and
weatherstripping are in good condition ( drawbac$ of seasonal units is the
labour involved in installing and removing them each year" as well as the
need for storage *ermanent e-terior storm windows are usually e!uipped
with a built,in screen and a sliding sash When using e-terior storm
windows" the main interior window must be air sealed more tightly than the
storm window to prevent moist household air from entering the space
between the windows and being trapped" where it can condense and cause
deterioration of the sash and frame
8.:Interior "torm Window "ystems
&&
'nterior storm window systems have gained in popularity in recent years
#hey offer the following advantagesK
#hey are generally attached directly to the window frame" which
helps reduce air lea$age around the window" and can be attached in
four convenient ways" as discussed below
'f an interior storm window is well sealed" it reduces the ris$ of
condensation because its surface is closer to warm room air
(ny condensation that does occur is on the storm window" which
prolongs the life of the main window
#hey are lighter and more accessible than seasonal e-terior storm
windows and are therefore particularly useful on upper floors
Hne disadvantage of interior storm windows is that blinds or other
window treatments may have to be repositioned to accommodate the storm
window
'nterior storm windows are typically used in the winter only and are
stored for the rest of the year 3owever" in an air,conditioned house" interior
&2
storm windows can also help $eep heat out and cool air in during the hot
summer months
"ash#ess s#ider ; A s,ecia# case
Sliding windows that are panes of glass not encased in a frame are inefficient
and" at the very least" should be supplemented with interior storm windows
( better solution is to have a contractor retrofit the windows by installing the
e-isting glazing in new sashes that incorporate weatherstripping #he sashed
units are then reinstalled in the original frames
#o minimize condensation and air lea$age" interior storm windows should be
sealed tightly so that no warm air gets between the storm unit and the
original window after installation
#he four most common interior storm window systems are discussed below
#he first two approaches involve ine-pensive" do,it,yourself products" while
the last two are more costly and may re!uire the services of a contractor
:.Window &rames
#he three most common frame types are metal" wood and vinyl
&6
Linyl and wood frame windows have better insulating !ualities than
metal
#he <,value (resistance to heat flow) of a metal frame window is
about ? to 2/8 lower than a wood or vinyl frame window
9etal frames may cost less in the short run" but you may pay more in
energy bills in the long run
Some wood frame windows also come with a metal or vinyl cladding
on the outside" which significantly reduces maintenance and up$eep
costs
<.&rame and ",acer Materia#s
Window frames are available in a variety of materials
including aluminum" wood" vinyl" and fiberglass >rames may be
primarily composed of one material" or they may be a combination of
different materials such as wood clad with vinyl or aluminum,clad wood
Each frame material has its advantages and disadvantages
#hough ideal for strength and customized window design"
a#uminum frames conduct heat and therefore lose heat faster and are
prone to condensation #hrough anodizing or coating" the corrosion and
electro,galvanic deterioration of aluminum frames can be avoided
(dditionally" the thermal resistance of aluminum frames can be
significantly improved by placing continuous insulating plastic strips
between the interior and e-terior of the frame
Wood frames have higher <,values" are not affected by
temperature e-tremes" and do not generally promote condensation Wood
frames do re!uire considerable maintenance in the form of periodic
painting or staining 'f not properly protected" wood frames can swell"
which leads to rot" warping" and stic$ing
=iny# window frames" which are made primarily from
polyvinyl chloride (*LC)" offer many advantages (vailable in a wide
&7
range of styles and shapes" vinyl frames have moderate to high <,values"
are easily customized" are competitively priced" and re!uire very low
maintenance While vinyl frames do not possess the inherent strength of
metal or wood" larger,sized windows are often strengthened with
aluminum or steel reinforcing bars
&iberg#ass frames are relatively new and are not yet widely
available With some of the highest <,values" fiberglass frames are
e-cellent for insulating and will not warp" shrin$" swell" rot" or corrode
0nprotected fiberglass does not hold up to the weather and therefore is
always painted Some fiberglass frames are hollowM while others are
filled with fiberglass insulation
",acers are used to separate multiple panes of glass within
the windows (lthough metal (usually aluminum) spacers are commonly
installed to separate glass in multi,pane windows" they conduct heat
Guring cold weather" the thermal resistance around the edge of a window
is lower than that in the centerM thus" heat can escape" and condensation
can occur along the edges #o alleviate these problems" one manufacturer
has developed a multi,pane window using a &@I,inch,wide (/62
centimeters,wide) *LC foam separator placed along the edges of the
frame
Bi$e other multi,pane windows" these use metal spacers for
support" but because the foam separator is secured on top of the spacer
between the panes" heat loss and condensation are reduced Several
window manufacturers now sandwich foam separators" nylon spacers"
and insulation materials such as polystyrene and roc$wool between the
glass inside their windows
!oub#e-hung window showing ,arts
&?
Windows generally consist of a frame" sash and glazing #he glazing (usually
glass) fits into the sash" which in turn is held in place in the wall by the
frame #he trim provides a finish around the window 'n general" fi-ed
windows are more energy efficient than operable windows of the same size"
material and orientation because they are more airtight and have more
glazing (relative to the frame) #his e-tra glazing area allows more solar heat
to enter the house during the heating season
Casement window showing parts and hardware
Operable windows have sashes that move within the frame, which allow
them to be opened to provide fresh air or to serve as emergency exits.
Operable windows require weatherstripping strips of resilient
material positioned at the window's moving joints to deflect rain and
dust and to minimize air leaage. !here are several styles of operable
windows, casements, awnings, hoppers, horizontal sliders and tilt"
and"turn units.
&D
>.2e,airing o,erab#e windows
Some of the most common problems with operable windows relate to the
ease of operation and the wor$ing of the hardware 'f the window appears to
be in good shape" it may be possible to improve air tightness by doing the
followingK
ad)usting or replacing the sash loc$s or adding more loc$s to large
windows
repairing or replacing hinges on casement windows
ensuring that caul$ing" weatherstripping and paint are not interfering
with the operation (opening and closing) of the window
ensuring that weatherstripping is fully functional (ie" it should be
fle-ible" be properly located and ma$e full contact between the sash
and the frame)
*roper window maintenance includes annual cleaning of the hardware"
tightening of hardware screws and lubricating moving parts #he following
are four basic options for upgrading the energy efficiency of your windowsK
repair (see sidebar at right)
retrofit using caul$ing and weatherstripping
reglaze by installing e-terior or interior storm windows
replace the window or parts of the window
>.12e,#acing Window &rames
#he type and !uality of the window frame usually affect a
window4s air infiltration and heat loss characteristics 9any window
frames are available5all with varying degrees of energy efficiency Some
of the more common window frames are fi-ed,pane" casement" double,
and single,hung" horizontal sliding" hopper" and awning
&E
When properly installed" fi-ed,pane windows are airtight and
ine-pensive and can be custom designed for a wide variety of applications
+ut" because they cannot be opened" fi-ed,pane windows are unsuitable in
places where ventilation is re!uired
Casement" awning" and hopper windows with
compression seals are moderately airtight and provide good ventilation
when opened Casement windows open sideways with hand cran$s
(wning windows are similar to casement windows e-cept that their hinges
are located at the tops of the windows instead of at the sides 3opper
windows are inverted versions of awning windows with their hinges
located at the bottom Windows with compression seals allow about half as
much air lea$age as double,hung and horizontal sliding windows with
sliding seals
Gouble,hung windows have top and bottom sashes (the sliding
sections of the window) and can be opened by pulling up the lower sashes
or pulling down the upper sash (lthough they are among the most popular
type of window" double,hung windows can be inefficient because they are
often lea$y Single,hung windows are somewhat better because only one
sash moves 3orizontal sliding windows are li$e double,hung windows
e-cept that the sashes are located on the left and right edges rather than on
the tops and bottoms 3orizontal sliding windows open on the side and are
especially suitable for spaces that re!uire a long" narrow view #hese
windows" however" usually provide minimal ventilation and" li$e double,
hung windows" can be !uite lea$y
?.%nderstanding Window 7erformance
"hading )oefficient *")+ J
#he shading coefficient measures a window%s effectiveness at
bloc$ing solar heat Solar heat is the single largest contributor to the
wor$load on your home%s cooling system When considering various types of
windows or shading devices" the shading coefficient is the most important
&I
factor to consider Some types of glass do a better )ob of bloc$ing solar heat
than others
#he lower the shading coefficient value on a pane of glass" the
better
the window%s ability to prevent solar heat gain" saving on summer
cooling costs
Single,pane windows have a SC of &/
Standard double,pane windows have a SC of about /I.
Bow e windows lower the SC to about /7.
Shade screens can lower the SC of a window to as low as /2
"o#ar 'eat (ain )oefficient J Similar to the Shading Coefficient" the
Solar 3eat :ain Coefficient rating refers to the amount of sunlight passing
through a window as heat #he lower the value" the more efficient the
window is in reducing summer cooling costs Some manufacturers report
both the Shading Coefficient and the Solar 3eat :ain Coefficient

2-=a#ue J ( window%s resistance to heat flow is measured by <value #he
higher the number" the more effective the window is in reducing heating and
cooling costs #here are two <,values to consider for your windowsK one for
the glass itself (usually measured at the center of the window) and one for
the whole unit" including the frame ( window%s resistance to heat flow may
also be reported by some manufacturers as a 0,value #he 0,value is simply
the inverse of the <,value >or e-ample" a window with an <,value of 2 will
have a 0,value of &@2 (/?) #he smaller a window%s 0,value" the better a
window will perform
#he glass is only one part of the whole window system >rames
and sashes ma$e up &/8 to 6/8 of your total window area When
comparing the <,values of different windows" compare the efficiency
performance of the frame and glass #he most common insulating windows
(glass and frame) have <,values between 2 and 6" and new super efficient
window assemblies have <,values of ? or higher
&.
#ypical Window <,values
>rame #ype :lass #ype <,values 'ncluding
:lass and >rame
9etal Standard double,pane"
clear
&?I , &E/
Wood or vinyl Standard double,pane"
clear
&I. , 222
Wood or vinyl Gouble,pane" clear" low
e
26I , 2ID
Wood or vinyl Gouble,pane" clear" low
e (rgon fill
2D6 , 6&6
Wood or vinyl #riple,pane" clear" low
e" super,efficient
6E/ , ?//

%-factor measures the rate of heat loss #he lower the 0,factor" the better
the indow%s insulating value Choose windows with a 0,factor of /6? or
less ( difference of //? in 0,factors can translate into energy savings of
1?// over the average 6/,year lifetime of windows
=isib#e transmittance ( high visible transmittance means more
daylight is transmitted through the glass Choose a high visible
transmittance window to ma-imize daylight Windows with lower visible
transmittance can be used to control glare
2educing 'eat 5oss and )ondensation
9anufacturers usually represent the energy efficiency of
windows in terms of their 0,values (conductance of heat) or their <,
values (resistance to heat flow) 'f a window4s <,value is high" it will lose
less heat than one with a lower <,value Conversely" if a window4s 0,
value is low" it will lose less heat than one with a higher 0,value 'n other
words" 0,values are the reciprocals of <,values (0,value N &@<,value)
9ost window manufacturers use <,values in rating their windows
0sually" window <,values range from /. to 6/ (0,values
range from && to /6)" but some highly energy,efficient e-ceptions also
e-ist When comparing different windows" you should ensure that all 0,
2/
or <,values listed by manufacturersK (&) are based on current standards
set by the (merican Society of 3eating" <efrigeration" and (ir,
Conditioning Engineers ((S3<(E)"(2) are calculated for the entire
window" including the frame" and not )ust for the center of the glass" and
(6) represent the same size and style of window
#he following five factors affect the <,value of a window
#he type of glazing material (eg" glass" plastic" treated glass)
#he number of layers of glass
#he size of the air space between the layers of glass
#he thermal resistance or conductance of the frame and spacer
materials
#he CtightnessC of the installation (ie" air lea$s5Ksee previous
discussion)
)ontro##ing Air 5eaks
When air lea$s around windows" energy is wasted Energy
is also transferred through the centers" edges" and frames of windows
Eliminating or reducing these paths of heat flow can greatly improve the
energy efficiency of windows and" ultimately" of homes Several options
are available to reduce air lea$s around windowsM the least e-pensive
options are caul$ing and weatherstripping" followed by replacing
window frames
)au#king and Weatherstri,,ing
Caul$s are airtight compounds (usually late- or silicone)
that fill crac$s and holes +efore applying new caul$" old caul$ or paint
residue remaining around a window should be removed using a putty
$nife" stiff brush" or special solvent (fter old caul$ is removed" new
2&
caul$ can then be applied to all )oints in the window frame and the )oint
between the frame and the wall
#he best time to apply caul$ is during dry weather when the
outdoor temperature is above 7?O >ahrenheit (E2O Celsius) Bow
humidity is important during application to prevent crac$s from swelling
with moisture Warm temperatures are also necessary so the caul$ will set
properly and adhere to the surface
Weatherstripping is a narrow piece of metal" vinyl" rubber"
felt" or foam that seals the contact area between the fi-ed and movable
sections of a window )oint 't should be applied between the sash and the
frame" but should not interfere with the operation of the window
Additiona# 0,tions for 2educing 'eat 5oss and (ain through
Windows
9ovable insulation" such as insulating shades" shutters" and
drapes" can be applied on the inside of windows to reduce heat loss in the
winter and heat gain in the summer Shading devices" such as awnings"
e-terior shutters" or screens" can be used to reduce unwanted heat gain in
the summer
'n most cases" these window treatments are more cost,
effective than energy,efficient window replacements and should be
considered first (dditional information on window treatments is
available from the Energy Efficiency and <enewable Energy
Clearinghouse
1ew windows
Whether replacing windows in an older house or choosing windows for a
new house" your decisions on what type of windows to buy will be among
the most important decisions you will ma$e in terms of energy use +ecause
of the impact windows have on both heat loss and heat gain" proper selection
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of products can be confusing #o add to the comple-ity" window glazing
technology has changed tremendously in recent years #he best window
glazings today insulate almost four times as well as the best commonly
available windows from twenty years ago
1@.&eatures to 5ook for in Energy-"a-ing Windows
Window technology has improved dramatically in recent years" with the net
result of lowering your energy bills Some of the most important energy
features of windows are e-plained below
Multiple layers of glazing 0ntil the &.I/s the primary way
manufacturers improved the energy performance of windows was to
add additional layers of glazing Gouble glazing insulates almost
twice as well as single glazing (dding a third or fourth layer of
glazing results in further improvement Some of these windows use
glass onlyM others use thin plastic films as the inner glazing layer(s)
Thickness of air space With double,glazed windows the air space
between the panes of glass has a big effect on energy performance (
very thin air space does not insulate as well as a thic$er air space
because of the conductivity through that small space 9any window
manufacturers have increased the thic$ness of the air space in their
double,glazed windows from PC to QC or more 'f the air space is too
wide" however" convection loops between the layers of glazing occur
+eyond about &C" you do not get any further gain in energy
performance with thic$er air spaces
Low-conductivity gas fill +y substituting a denser" lower
conductivity gas such as argon for the air in a sealed insulated glass
window" heat loss can be reduced significantly 9ost ma)or window
manufacturers offer argon,gas fill as an option in their most popular
windows Hther gases that have been or are being used in windows
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include carbon dio-ide (CH
2
)" $rypton (Fr)" and argon,$rypton
mi-tures
Tinted glass coatings #inted glass and tinted window films have long
been used in commercial buildings to reduce heat gain through
windows 'mproved" lightly tinted windows are becoming more
common for the residential mar$et in southern (cooling,dominated)
climates #hese new glazings reduce the solar heat gain without
reducing visibility as much as older tinted glass and films
Low-e coatings 9ore than any other single improvement" the
invention and commercial development of low,emissivity (low,e)
coatings in the &.I/s revolutionized window technology #hin"
transparent coatings of silver or tin o-ide permit visible light to pass
through" but they effectively reflect infrared heat radiation bac$ into
the room #his reduces heat loss through the windows in the winter (
variety of low,e windows are now available for different climate
zones and different applications in any particular location Bow,e
windows with high solar heat gain coefficients are appropriate for
northern climates where passive solar heating is advantageous" while
southern low,e windows with low heat gain coefficients are
appropriate in milder climates where summer cooling is more
significant than winter heating
Edge spacers #he edge spacer is what holds the panes of glass apart
and provides the airtight seal in an insulated glass window
#raditionally" these have been hollow aluminum channels" usually
filled with desiccant beads (luminum has e-tremely high
conductivity #hat didn%t matter when the glazing did not insulate
very well" but as better performing glazings were developed"
proportionately more heat was lost through the edges Since about
&../" a number of improved edge spacers have come onto the
mar$et Some are made of thin,walled steel and have a thermal brea$
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Hthers are made of silicone foam or butyl rubber :enerally" better
edge seals are a low,cost option when ordering windows" and worth
considering
11.The Benefits of Energy-Efficient Windows
Energy,efficient windows willK
increase your comfort
Energy,efficient windows reduce cold drafts and ma$e a house feel
warmer during the heating season
help control condensation
#he interior surfaces of energy,efficient windows stay warmer" which
means you can maintain a higher level of relative humidity without
worrying about condensation on the windows ($eep in mind that
efficiency improvements to windows will not prevent condensation if
the humidity level in your house is too high)
save you money
9inimizing air lea$age and improving the thermal performance of
your windows" by adding interior storm windows" for e-ample" could
improve their energy efficiency by up to ?/ percent and reduce your
energy bills
Bast longer Condensation can cause premature deterioration of
windows" as well as walls and finishes" leading to costly maintenance
or replacement
improve indoor air !uality and contribute to a healthy living
environment
+y reducing condensation" energy,efficient windows help prevent
mould growth
reduce the penetration of dust" dirt" insects and sound into your home
2?
reduce energy consumption and its impact on the environment
12. 2ecommendations
'f you%re shopping for new windows" loo$ for the ;><C label as
your guide to their energy performance Compare ratings on
E;E<:= S#(<,labeled windows for your climate region
<emember that a window%s ability to insulate is given by its 0,value"
and the amount of solar energy it transmits is given by its solar heat
gain coefficient5the lower the 0,value and S3:C" the more
efficient the window
Boo$ for windows with these energy,saving featuresK double panesM
low,e coatingsM low,conductivity gas,fill between panesM and wood"
vinyl" or fiberglass frames
Select windows with low air lea$age ratings5between //& and //D
cfm@ft
Consider different glazings for windows on different sides of your
house to benefit from passive solar and ma-imize energy benefits
'nstall the lowest 0,value windows you can afford on north,facing
windowsSelect windows with appropriate low,e coatings for your
local climate on the east" west" and south sides of your house 'f you
do order different glazings for your different windows" be sure to
$eep trac$ of which windows have which type of glazing because
they will probably all loo$ identicalR
#o ma-imize energy performance" choose windows with larger
unbro$en glazing areas instead of multi,pane or true,divided,light
windows (pplied grills that simulate true,divided,light windows are
fineM they do not reduce energy efficiency
Choose windows with good warranties against the loss of the air seal
'f the glazing seal is lost" not only will fogging occur" but also any
low,conductivity gas between the layers of glass will immediately be
lost
2D
#o ensure that your new windows perform as well as they should"
hire s$illed contractors to install them
3ow 9uch Can =ou Save on 3eating and Cooling =our 3ome
with Gifferent Window #ypesS
#he chart below compares the annual energy costs for a typical
new home in the *hoeni- area with different window types +y installing
high performance windows" you may not need as large of an air conditioning
unit to cool your home ( smaller" less costly air conditioning unit will help
offset the cost of more energy efficient windows 'f you are building a
custom home and desire a lot of glass area" you may want to have an analysis
done of different window options in order to help $eep cooling costs down"
stay comfortable" conserve energy resources and help protect the
environment
Energy efficient windows are a common home improvement that
offers substantial benefits to the homeowner +esides improving your
home%s appearance" efficient windows are more comfortable to sit by" less
drafty and save energy on heating bills 3owever" to shop for efficient
windows effectively you need to understand some window technology and
terminology With this $nowledge in hand" you will be able to ma$e an
educated" cost,effective purchase
2E
13.Toward a New Generation of Energy-Efficient
Windows:
Transition-Metal Switchable Mirrors
#he race is on to develop the ne-t generation of energy,efficient
windows" and it has a new entrantK transition,metal switchable mirrors
(#9S9s) #9S9s are glass panels with a coating capable of switching
bac$ and forth between a transparent state and a reflective one #he new
coating was developed by #homas <ichardson of +er$eley Bab4s
Environmental Energy #echnologies Givision with assistance from
Tonathan Slac$
#ransition,metal
switchable mirror windows
vary from transparency to
heat and light" li$e the top
half of this sample" to
being almost wholly
reflective" as at bottom #o
see the mirror windows in
action" choose from one of
the file sizes below
Controlling the flow of solar radiation through windows to building interiors
has already saved billions of dollars in energy costs 5 1I billion through the
year 2/// from the use of currently available low,emissivity windows"
2I
according to a 2//& study by the ;ational (cademy of Sciences CBow,eC
windows" the first generation of energy,efficient windows" were developed
by +er$eley Bab and its commercial partners during the &.I/s #hey have
coatings that prevent some heat from reaching a building4s interior" which
reduces air,conditioning use" but they also trap heat inside during cold
periods to save heating energy
( substantial research effort is under way in the 0S and abroad to develop
dynamic window technologies" coatings that reduce light and heat passing
through a window by turning dar$er when the sun is high" then becoming
transparent when more light is desired Hne type of dynamic technology
already being tested at +er$eley Bab and elsewhere is the absorbing
electrochromic ((E) window" which switches from a transparent state to a
dar$ened state" usually blue in color
#hin film coatings on the window glass allow #9S9s to change from a
transparent to a reflecting state and bac$ again by application of an electric
field or by e-posure to dilute hydrogen gas +ecause they use fewer and
2.
thinner coatings than absorbing electrochromics" #9S9s promise to be
easier to ma$e and less e-pensive
#9S9s perform better than absorbing electrochromic windows in a number
of ways #he greater dynamic range of transition,metal switchable mirrors"
both in transmission 5 from ?/ percent to /? percent or lower" a factor of
&// 5 and in reflection 5 from E? to &/ percent reflective 5 gives them
considerable advantages over (Es in providing user comfort and energy
savings (Es do not become completely opa!ue and therefore cannot provide
privacy" but #9S9s can become opa!ue (nd while current electrochromic
window materials can dar$en a window from essentially transparent to dar$
blue" they have little effect on infrared radiation" which accounts for almost
half of incident energy #9S9s reflect both infrared and visible light
16.)onc#usion:
6/
<educing heat loss or gain in homes often includes either
improving e-isting windows or replacing them Bow,cost options
available for improvement are caul$ing" weatherstripping" retrofit
window films" and window treatments <eplacing windows will involve
the purchase of new materials" which should adhere to certain energy
efficiency standards
Gifferent combinations of frame style" frame material" and
glazing can yield very different results when weighing energy efficiency
and cost >or e-ample" a fi-ed,pane window is the most airtight and the
least e-pensiveM a window with a wood frame is li$ely to have less
conductive heat loss than one with an aluminum frameM double,pane"
low,e window units are )ust as efficient as triple,pane untreated windows"
but cost and weigh less
;o one window is suitable for every application 9any types
of windows and window films are available that serve different purposes
9oreover" you may discover that you need two types of windows for
your home because of the directions that your windows face and your
local climate #o ma$e wise purchases" first e-amine your heating and
cooling needs and prioritize desired features such as daylighting" solar
heating" shading" ventilation" and aesthetic value
18. 2eference:
6&
& SES' Tournal &?(&) K.,27(2//?)
2 wwwgooglecom
6 wwwenergy efficient windowscom


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