Page 41 - Green Builder Homeowner's Handbook 2016
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Exteriors / Roofing / Structure / Insulation / IAQ / Windows / Heating / Lighting / Appliances / Faucets & Fixtures / Finishes / Cabinets & Tops / Alternative Energy
with high solar gain, low-E glass. Keep this in mind when you are Glossary of Terms
assessing the “first cost” of new windows.
Know the Lingo
COMFORT
Know the Science ¦¦ Air Infiltration: The amount of air that passes between a
For homeowners, how comfortable a house feels can be just as window sash and frame, measured in cubic feet per minute
important as its energy efficiency. An older window with a lower per square foot of frame area.
glass temperature feels colder because more heat is radiated from a
person’s body to the window. ¦¦ Argon Gas: A colorless, odorless, inert gas that fills the
otherwise empty space within an insulating glass unit.
Cold glass can also create uncomfortable drafts as air next to
the window is cooled and drops to the floor. This sets up an air ¦¦ Efficient Windows Collaborative: Organization that
movement pattern that feels drafty and accelerates heat loss. provides detailed reports and studies on the value of
using high-performance windows. Visit the website at
High-performance windows with lower U-values will result in www.efficientwindows.org for more information on the
a higher interior window temperature in winter and thus greater studies cited in this article.
comfort. Proper installation along with weatherstripping designed
to seal tightly will also improve comfort by reducing cold air leakage. ¦¦ Insulating Glass (IG): Glass units constructed of two or more
glass panes separated by a hermetically sealed space.
During the summer, direct sunlight strikes people and surfaces,
creating overheating and discomfort. Windows with low solar heat ¦¦ Low-Emissivity Coating (low-E): Low-E finishes reduce
gain coefficients will reduce the solar radiation coming through the energy transfer through insulating glass units, and thereby
glass. That’s where low-emissivity (low-E) glass comes in—reducing achieve one of the highest levels of energy performance
heat gain while still providing sufficient light and view. possible for glass.
LESS FADING AND CONDENSATION ¦¦ Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC): Measures the fraction
Block the Rays of solar energy admitted, and indicates how well the product
High-performance windows with new glazing technologies make blocks heat caused by sunlight.
homes more comfortable. They create warmer interior glass surfaces,
reducing frost and condensation. High-performance windows with ¦¦ U-Value: The escape of BTUs per square foot per hour, per
warm edge technology and insulating frames have such a warm degree Fahrenheit.
interior surface that condensation on interior surfaces is significantly
¦¦ Warm Edge Technology: The use of low-conductance
SOLAR GLASS spacers to reduce heat transfer near the edge of
insulated glazing.
reduced under all conditions.
Another concern for homeowners is the effect of sunlight on
the home and its contents. Many organic materials, such as carpet,
fabrics, paper, artwork, paints and wood may fade upon exposure
to sunlight. Window selection can influence the type and intensity
AN UP-AND-COMING technology called building CREDIT: ONYX SOLAR Madico Solar Grey 35
integrated photovoltaics, or BIPV, enables conventional Window Film
construction materials to generate renewable energy.
These materials overcome both the aesthetic concerns and Madico creates window films that target
physical limitations of conventional solar panels. Onyx Solar has applications in Energy-related markets,
pioneered BIPV technology with its photovoltaic glass, which including solar control window films,
comes in a variety of colors and sizes. This special glass can paint protection films, photovoltaic
be used in windows, skylights, canopies, facades and floors; backsheets and safety/security films.
double-pane, argon-filled glass is also available, when greater Madico’s Solar Grey 35 rejects more than 99 percent of UV rays, helping
thermal performance is needed. Look for BIPV to play a larger to reduce heat gain and lower cooling costs. In addition, the film prevents
role in the net-zero homes of the future. glare, slows the fading of fabrics and flooring and improves shatter
resistance. www.madico.com
Series 3600 90-Degree
Vinyl Multi-Slide Door from
Western Windows
This new door is specifically engineered
for a 90-degree, no-post configuration
for maximum performance and
durability. The design also opens up rooms to the outdoors without
sacrificing efficiency. Dual-pane, argon-filled, low-E glass make it one of
the most energy-efficient 90-degree multi-slide doors on the market.
www.westernvolumeprogram.com
www.greenbuildermedia.com The Homeowner’s Handbook 2016 GREEN BUILDER 39
