Window

Figure 1. Operable and non-operable windows.[1]

Windows are openings in walls, doors, or vehicles that allow the passage of light. Windows are important for a household's energy efficiency because they're how homes let heat and light in and out. Proper window placement and type are essential for energy efficient building design making it a crucial part of the building envelope.

Operable windows can be opened and closed and also allow the passage of air and sound through them from one environment to another. Some examples of operable windows include casement and hopper windows. Windows that don't open are called non-operable (fixed) windows.[2] Operable windows are more desirable in residences as they can be opened to help ventilate the home.

The technical term for windows, doors and skylights is fenestration.

Anatomy of a window

There are many parts that come together to make a window. Each part must be able to perform its own unique function as well integrate into the window as a whole.[3]

Parts of a window
Name Function
Frame Creates an opening that houses the window components and consists of the head, jambs and sill
Glazing The term used to refer to the transparent material of a window. The glazing can sometimes be covered in different coatings that can alter its energy efficiency.
Grilles/Grid/Muntin Divide the glass of the window into smaller panes. In modern windows they are primarily used for aesthetic purposes only.
Head Forms the top of the window frame
Jamb Forms the vertical sides of the window frame
Sash A framework that holds the various panes of a window within the window frame itself
Sill Forms the bottom of the window frame

Heat loss in windows

When considering aspects of heat loss in homes, studies find that windows are the largest single contributor. Heat loss in windows happens through heat transfer mechanisms and through air leakage.[4]

With relation to windows these types of heat loss occur as described below:

Thermal Radiation - The glazing of the window absorbs heat and re-radiates it to the internal or external environment, whichever is cooler

Conduction - Heat moves through solid parts of the window such as the jambs, head, sill, and glazing

Convection - Heat that is lost from air movement near to and in the space between the glass

Air Leakage - This accounts for the heat transferred when air moves through the gaps in the frame due to shortcomings in the installation or manufacturing of the window

There is no way to completely stop heat loss through windows but there are ways to significantly reduce it.

Reducing heat loss

For more detailed information about how to make windows, doors, and skylights as energy efficient as possible, see Natural Resource Canada's guide book here.

Weatherstripping

main article

One way to reduce the heat lost due to air leakage is by weatherstripping the window. Weatherstripping is the use of a seal between the frame and the sash of the window. There are three basic type of weatherstripping seals: brush, sweep, and compression. Most operable windows use compression seals as the primary air barrier.[4]

In addition to decreasing the air leakage of windows, weatherstripping also keeps rain out and helps in reducing noise exchange from the surroundings with the interior of the home.[5]

Glazing

main article

The glazing is the glass in the window. Using glazing with various properties can drastically affect the performance of the window.

Filler Gas

main article

Typically air occupies the space between sheets of glass in a double or triple glazed window. However, special gases such as Argon or Krypton can replace the air to improve its thermal efficiency. Filling the space between glazing layers with these inert gases will reduce conductive heat losses because they have a lower thermal conductivity than air. The use of these gases will also lower convective heat losses because they are denser than air and will suppress gas movement between the panes of glass. Argon has 67% of the thermal conductivity of air, is non-toxic, and is relatively inexpensive, making it a common filler gas.[6] Krypton is a more effective insulator than Argon but is more expensive resulting in it being less commonly used as a filler gas.

Low-emissivity Coating

main article

A special coating called an e-coating can reduce the amount of light and heat transferred as a result of thermal radiation.

Window Insulation Film

Kits can be purchased that contain sheets of plastic and a means to attach these sheets to an existing window. To save money, the option also exists to use everyday saran wrap and a hairdryer to perform effectively the same task. Kits generally include a roll of thin, clear plastic and double sided tape to attach the film to the windows, preventing cold air drafts from entering through older windows when a blow dryer is used to shrink the wrap onto the window.[7] This method of preventing cold air from entering the home is especially effective in the winter months.

Energy performance of windows

The energy performance of a window depends on how much light and heat are allowed to move across the window. There are a few metrics that can be used to measure the energy performance of windows. The ones that are most often used in Canada are:

U-value

The U-value depicts the rate at which heat is transferred from warm to cold areas.[4] The lower the value the higher the energy performance of the window. The units of the u-value are watts per square meter Kelvin. (W/m2K)[8]

R-value

R-value is a value of thermal retention, and stands for resistance value. Housing insulation is rated in R-value, so rating windows in the same manner allows for easier comparison. The R-value is the reciprocal of the U value (R-value = 1/U value).

Solar heat gain coefficient

The solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) is a ratio that represents that amount of sun’s heat that can pass through the window over the total incident solar radiation (insolation).[4] The lower the value the less solar heat the window will transmit.[8] This can be modified with a low emissivity coating.

Visible light transmittance

Visible light transmittance is a ratio that measures the amount of visible light that can pass through the window over the total incident visible light.[4] The higher the value the more visible light can pass through it.[8]

For Further Reading

References

  1. Natural Resources Canada. (April 25, 2015). Energy Efficient Residential Windows, Doors, and Skylights - Operable Window [Online]. Available: http://www.nrcan.gc.ca/sites/oee.nrcan.gc.ca/files/files/pdf/equipment/windows-door-skylights-e-web-version.pdf
  2. Natural Resources Canada. (March 22, 2015). Windows [Online]. Available: http://www.nrcan.gc.ca/energy/products/categories/fenestration/13939
  3. Pella. (March 22, 2015). Learn the parts of your Pella Window [Online]. Available:http://www.pella.com/support-center/glossary/window-anatomy/default.aspx
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Natural Resources Canada. (March 22, 2015). Energy-Efficient Residential Windows, Doors and Skylights [Online]. Available:http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/sites/oee.nrcan.gc.ca/files/files/pdf/equipment/windows-door-skylights-e-web-version.pdf
  5. L.MacNevin. (March 22, 2015). Compression Seal Technology [Online]. Available: http://www.ronblank.com/courses/reh08a/reh08a.pdf
  6. International Association of Certified Home Inspectors. (March 21, 2015). Window Gas Fills: What Inspectors and Consumers Should Know, [Online]. Available: http://www.nachi.org/window-gas-fills.htm.
  7. The Home Depot. Window Insulation Shrink Film [Online]. Available: http://www.homedepot.ca/product/crystal-clear-window-insulation-shrink-film/941489
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 PPG Ideascape. (March 22, 2015).What is Low-E Glass? [Online]. Available: http://educationcenter.ppg.com/glasstopics/how_lowe_works.aspx