The Efficiency of Window Design and Orientation on Long-Cycle Passive Solar Heating Demands in Residential Buildings.

Document Type : Research Studies

Author

Head of Researches & Consultations., Department of Islamic Architecture College of Engineering & Islamic Architecture, Umm Al-Qura University .

Abstract

This paper describes research conducted to evaluate the efficiency of various window components with respect to solar heating demands of a prototype residential house in Waterloo, Canada. A number of proposed high performance window types are compared against base-case conventional windows in attempt to trace the long cycle cutback in heating demands. Three window orientations including South, North and West facing were considered. RetScreen passive solar heating project model was used for this purpose. The upgrade of windows has shown a dramatic cutback in passive solar heating demands with preference in South facing direction. Initial cost of window upgrade is reimbursed, due to reduction of active solar heating cost, in less than ten years depending on the type of window selected. it is concluded that the economical upgrade of a window depends on the initial installation cost required for the upgrade and the project life. 

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