A2PBEER – Affordable 

and Adaptable Public 
Buildings through 
Energy Efficient 
Retrofitting
Malwina Adamek

Train the Trainer Workshop
12‐13 September 2016, Bilbao
A2PBA2PBEER– Affordable and Adaptable Public Buildings through Energy Efficient Retrofitting

Smart Window

Train the Trainer Workshop, 12‐13 September 2016, Bilbao 2
A2PBA2PBEER– Affordable and Adaptable Public Buildings through Energy Efficient Retrofitting

Content of the Presentation
 Overview.
 The need for the Smart Window.
 Main design features of the Smart Window. 
 Description of the main benefits
 How and where the Smart Window can be used for 
retrofitting.
 Benefits of retrofitting the technology.
 Evaluation

Train the Trainer Workshop, 12‐13 September 2016, Bilbao 3
A2PBA2PBEER– Affordable and Adaptable Public Buildings through Energy Efficient Retrofitting

Overview
• If the building is heated and the outdoor temperature is
cold, the window should retain heat, minimise losses and let
in as much solar radiation as possible (high
g‐value).

• If the temperature inside the building is too high and cooling

is needed, the windows should keep out heat from the sun
(low g‐value) and if possible enable heat to be shed from the
building.

Train the Trainer Workshop, 12‐13 September 2016, Bilbao 4
A2PBA2PBEER– Affordable and Adaptable Public Buildings through Energy Efficient Retrofitting

The need for the Smart Window
• Main issue of existing low emissivity
windows: low E coating is either on the
outer (max. solar gain, desirable in
winter) or the inner side (min. solar
gain, desirable in summer)

• Breakthrough: to develop a reversible

window, so that users can rotate the
sash from winter to summer position
and viceversa to change the position of
low E coating to select the right
configuration.

Train the Trainer Workshop, 12‐13 September 2016, Bilbao 5
A2PBA2PBEER– Affordable and Adaptable Public Buildings through Energy Efficient Retrofitting

Main design features of the Technology. 
Components Dimensions Typology
Glass fitted to the window  Suncool Brilliant 30/17+Optifloat Clear 
sash 6B(30)‐16Ar‐4
Frame 90 x 70 mm wood
Sash 90 x 70 mm wood & alum
Gasket 15 x 15 mm EPDM
Handle ‐ aluminium
hydraulic system 
Reversible 
pressure and rotation  steel, EPDM, glicol
system
pin central steel
Electric lock 4 locking points steel

Train the Trainer Workshop, 12‐13 September 2016, Bilbao 6
A2PBA2PBEER– Affordable and Adaptable Public Buildings through Energy Efficient Retrofitting

Main design features of the Technology. 

DUE TO POSSIBLE PATENT APPLICATION NO TECHNICAL 
DETAILS AND DRAWINGS CAN BE SHARED

Train the Trainer Workshop, 12‐13 September 2016, Bilbao 7
A2PBA2PBEER– Affordable and Adaptable Public Buildings through Energy Efficient Retrofitting
Smart reversible window performance
To validate window performance against standards a testing campaign was performed by 
Notified body      (NB 2189 Mobilne Laboratorium Techniki Budowlanej Sp. z o.o.)
 Air permeability assessment – class 4
 Wind load assessment ‐ class C5 
(approx. deflection of 0,4mm, any sign of 
window destruction was identified). 
 Water tightness assessment ‐ class 1A
Regarding SW prototype the water leakage was 
observed while additional pressure of 50 Pa was applied. 

 Repeated air permeability assessment
The assessment of second air permeability
showed that even after application of significant 
wind loads on the window surface air 
permeability has decreased by 19% in 
comparison with the highest value from the first 
air permeability assessment.

Train the Trainer Workshop, 12‐13 September 2016, Bilbao 8
A2PBA2PBEER– Affordable and Adaptable Public Buildings through Energy Efficient Retrofitting

Train the Trainer Workshop, 12‐13 September 2016, Bilbao 9
A2PBA2PBEER– Affordable and Adaptable Public Buildings through Energy Efficient Retrofitting

Description of the main benefits
The energy use gain from window reversing was assumed to 
mainly depend on the following factors:

• Thermal performance of glass configuration
• Geographic location
• Indoor temperature settings
• Heating and cooling system and source
• Window size / floor area ratio
• Non‐window building envelope thermal properties
• Window orientation
• Surrounding shadowing structures
• Application of ventilation heat recovery

Train the Trainer Workshop, 12‐13 September 2016, Bilbao 10
A2PBA2PBEER– Affordable and Adaptable Public Buildings through Energy Efficient Retrofitting

Train the Trainer Workshop, 12‐13 September 2016, Bilbao 11
A2PBA2PBEER– Affordable and Adaptable Public Buildings through Energy Efficient Retrofitting

Simulation results shows the reduction of energy demand due to the smart window configuration ‐ the
maximum reduction 5.8 [kWh/m2 floor area] corresponds to 39 [kWh/m2 glass area]. The reduction is
calculated as the difference in energy demand with a reversible window and a fixed window in solar
protection position.

Train the Trainer Workshop, 12‐13 September 2016, Bilbao 12
A2PBA2PBEER– Affordable and Adaptable Public Buildings through Energy Efficient Retrofitting

How and where the Smart Window can be used 
for retrofitting.
 architectural limitations: lack of architectural elements
such as columns, shading devices etc. on window rotation
route – necessity of free space outdoor as well as indoor
 no possible tilt position

Train the Trainer Workshop, 12‐13 September 2016, Bilbao 13
A2PBA2PBEER– Affordable and Adaptable Public Buildings through Energy Efficient Retrofitting

Benefits of retrofitting the technology

Window locked, Ventilation between Reversibility Easy and safe

hermetically frame and sash for across seasons to cleaning:
sealed improved indoor control solar gain cleaning from
comfort inside

Train the Trainer Workshop, 12‐13 September 2016, Bilbao 14
A2PBA2PBEER– Affordable and Adaptable Public Buildings through Energy Efficient Retrofitting

Evaluation
 reversible sash, closing in the reverse position
Innovative
 possibility to change E Low coating position (energy savings)
aspects
 innovative type of sealing
 easy access to maintain the window (safe and easy window cleaning)
 reduced costs for heating/for cooling during hot periods
 comfortable indoor climate and conditions the whole year round
Advantages
 adaptable for different dimensions
 possible different divisions
 reduced CO2 emissions thanks to the energy savings
 no possible tilt position
Disadvantages
 difficult to get around outside boundaries (columns)
 only one possibility for window opening (rotation)
Limitations
 architectural limitations

Train the Trainer Workshop, 12‐13 September 2016, Bilbao 15
A2PBA2PBEER– Affordable and Adaptable Public Buildings through Energy Efficient Retrofitting

Thank you for listening!

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