Laboratory and field validation of the performance benefits and costs of thin triple-pane windows in residential buildings
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
The adoption of high-performance triple-pane windows that significantly reduce heat transfer has been slow, in part because they are thicker, heavier, and more costly than double-pane windows. One path to increase adoption of triple-pane windows is to replace the conventional double-glazing insulated glass unit (IGU) with a modified triple-glazing design that uses a very thin central pane of glass. This thinner triple-pane IGU can then be “dropped in” to the double-pane IGU pocket without requiring major modifications to frame design. The Department of Energy sponsored laboratory and field testing of thin triple-pane windows by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. This article presents findings from both the Lab Homes study and subsequent field demonstrations carried out over a 3-year period (2020–2023). The laboratory and field studies demonstrated the manufacturing and distribution feasibility of thin triple-pane windows, successfully installed at multiple sites, using double-pane frames from four different manufacturers and thin triple-pane IGUs from two different manufacturers. Compared to a home with double-pane, clear-glass windows, testing demonstrated average whole-home heating energy savings of 12% and cooling energy savings of 27% for thin triple-pane windows. Improvements in comfort, sound insulation, and condensation potential were noted in both laboratory and field studies.
- Research Organization:
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States); Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)
- Grant/Contract Number:
- AC05-76RL01830
- OSTI ID:
- 2483499
- Report Number(s):
- PNNL-SA--191549
- Journal Information:
- Science and Technology for the Built Environment, Journal Name: Science and Technology for the Built Environment Journal Issue: 7 Vol. 30; ISSN 2374-4731
- Publisher:
- Taylor & FrancisCopyright Statement
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Thermal performance and potential annual energy impact of retrofit thin-glass triple-pane glazing in US residential buildings
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journal | January 2019 |
Multi-objective optimization design of energy efficiency for office building window systems based on indoor thermal comfort
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journal | April 2023 |
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