Characterization of Energy Savings and Thermal Comfort Improvements Derived from Using Interior Storm Windows

Technical Report · Sun Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 2013

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/1131382· OSTI ID:1131382

Knox, Jake R. ^[1]; Widder, Sarah H. ^[1]

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1. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)

This field study of a single historic home in Seattle, WA documents the performance of Indow^® Windows’s interior storm window inserts. Energy use and the temperature profile of the house were monitored before and after the installation of the window inserts and changes in the two recorded metrics were examined. Using the defined analysis approach, it was determined that the interior storm windows produced a 22% reduction of the HVAC energy bill and had an undetermined effect on the thermal comfort in the house. Although there was no measurable changes in the thermal comfort of the house, the occupant noted the house to be “warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer” and that the “temperatures are more even (throughout the house).” The interior storm windows were found to be not cost effective, largely due to the retrofits completed on its heating system. However, if the economic analysis was conducted based on the old heating system, a 72% efficient oil fired furnace, the Indow Windows proved to be economical and had a simple payback period of 9.0 years.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (US)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Energy Efficiency Office. Building Technologies Office
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 1131382
• Report Number(s): PNNL--22855; BT0101000
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

high performance housing
interior storm windows
retrofits
storm windows