Description

Windows are known to be the weakest link in most thermal envelopes and are responsible for about 5 Quads (5.3 EJ), or approximately 10%, of building energy use in the US. Windows, therefore, offer a significant opportunity for building energy savings. High-performance windows, such as triple glazing, though have comprised less than 2% of all US window sales for the last 20 years. The two most cited reasons for this slow market adoption are high initial cost and long returns on investment through energy savings alone. But these common metrics ignore some of the most valuable characteristics of highly insulating windows to consumers, such as reduced capital cost for Heating Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) equipment, load stability, and occupant comfort. In this paper, several metrics for occupant comfort concerning windows are presented and their sensitivity to window thermal performanceis simulated. The value of occupant comfort is then quantified through the HVAC energy savings and the usable floor space adjacent to the windows to help redefine the return on investment metric.

Citation: Thermal Buildings XIV 2019

Product Details

Published:

2019

Number of Pages:

9

Units of Measure:

Dual

File Size:

1 file , 460 KB

Product Code(s):

D-Bldgs19-010