Turning low solar heat gain windows into energy savers in winter
- Ben-Gurion Univ. of the Negev, Sede Boker (Israel). Jacob Blaustein Inst. for Desert Research
The reduction in summer peak cooling loads of buildings with a large ratio of window to floor areas is often achieved by windows with a low solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC). These windows are typically double glazed with the exterior pane tinted or selectively absorbing. Absorbed solar radiation is rejected to the environment. This is undesirable in the cold season. The authors suggest that by turning south-facing windows by 180{degree} for the duration of the cold season, the solar heat gain of these windows can be increased significantly. By means of a computer simulation, they estimate seasonal energy savings for a model room in several climates. The effect of building heat capacity on the savings is also studied. Windows whose positions can be reversed for ease of cleaning are commercially available. This study shows that in a suitable climate the achievable savings easily compensate for the additional effort and possible investment over the lifetime of the window.
- OSTI ID:
- 379874
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-960430--; ISBN 0-89553-211-5
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Calculating the Effect of External Shading on the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient of Windows
Window annual energy rating systems: What they tell us about residential window design and selection
Related Subjects
ANTIREFLECTION COATINGS
ARIZONA
BUILDINGS
CALIFORNIA
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
DOUBLE GLAZING
ENERGY CONSERVATION
HEAT GAIN
ISRAEL
NEW MEXICO
NEW YORK
NORTH CAROLINA
NORTH DAKOTA
ORIENTATION
PASSIVE SOLAR HEATING SYSTEMS
SEASONAL VARIATIONS
TEXAS
THERMAL ANALYSIS
WINDOWS
WISCONSIN