Some highly energy efficient window attachment products are available today, but more rapid market adoption would be facilitated by fair performance metrics. It is important to have validated simulation tools to provide a basis for this analysis. This paper outlines a review and validation of the ISO 15099 center-of-glass zero-solar-load heat transfer correlations for windows with cellular shades. Thermal transmittance was measured experimentally, simulated using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis, and simulated utilizing correlations from ISO 15099 as implemented in Berkeley Lab WINDOW and THERM software. CFD analysis showed ISO 15099 underestimates heat flux of rectangular cavities by up to 60% when aspect ratio (AR) = 1 and overestimates heat flux up to 20% when AR = 0.5. CFD analysis also showed that wave-type surfaces of cellular shades have less than 2% impact on heat flux through the cavities and less than 5% for natural convection of room-side surface. WINDOW was shown to accurately represent heat flux of the measured configurations to a mean relative error of 0.5% and standard deviation of 3.8%. Several shade parameters showed significant influence on correlation accuracy, including distance between shade and glass, inconsistency in cell stretch, size of perimeter gaps, and the mounting hardware.

The subject of glass solar reflectance and its contribution to permanent vinyl siding distortion has not been extensively studied, and some phenomena are not yet well understood. This white paper presents what is known regarding the issue and identifies where more research is needed. Three primary topics are discussed: environmental factors that control the transfer of heat to and from the siding surface; vinyl siding properties that may affect heat build-up and permanent distortion; and factors that determine the properties of reflected solar radiation from glass surfaces, including insulating window glass. Further research is needed to fully characterize the conditions associated with siding distortion, the scope of the problem, physical properties of vinyl siding, insulating window glass reflection characteristics, and possible mitigation or prevention strategies.

Virtually all residential and commercial windows in the U.S. have some form of window attachment, but few have been designed for energy savings. ISO 15099 presents a simulation framework to determine thermal performance of window attachments, but the model has not been validated for these products. This paper outlines a review and validation of the ISO 15099 centre-of-glass heat transfer correlations for perimeter gaps (top, bottom, and side) in naturally ventilated cavities through measurement and simulation. The thermal transmittance impact due to dimensional variations of these gaps is measured experimentally, simulated using computational fluid dynamics, and simulated utilizing simplified correlations from ISO 15099. Results show that the ISO 15099 correlations produce a mean error between measured and simulated heat flux of 2.5 ± 7%. These tolerances are similar to those obtained from sealed cavity comparisons and are deemed acceptable within the ISO 15099 framework.

Windows account for about 4 Quads of US energy consumption or 12% of building energy use. After 20 years of public/private investment (from 1980 to 2000) in technology R&D, coupled with new rating and labeling organizations (NFRC) and with subsequent voluntary ENERGY STAR programs and tighter codes and standards, windows using low-E/argon gas fill (~R3) gained a dominant market share and now account for >86% of all annual sales. However, this remarkable transformation of prior markets has stagnated, with triple glazing (~R5-R7) comprising less than 2% of all window sales in 2016. U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) estimates the national technical potential savings using R5-R7 windows at ~ 2Q annually, but manufacturers claim they would have to redesign their entire sash/frame inventory to accommodate the thicker and heavier insulating glass units (IGUs) in conventional triple glazed window designs. This paper outlines the initial findings from the first phase of a new collaborative effort, now underway with industry partners, to transform window markets to the R5-R7 insulating levels by introducing a novel packaging of existing technology elements, implemented as a “drop-in replacement” for current IGUs. The program involves working with supply chain partners to ensure component availability, with leading window manufacturers to integrate the key technology elements and initially deploy the new designs, and with market pull partners to speed adoptions rates. Market pull partners include building code officials, utility rebate/incentive programs and ENERGY STAR, along with early adopters such as builders targeting net zero and passive house designers.

Virtually every home in the US has some form of shades, blinds, drapes, or other window attachment, but few have been designed for energy savings. In order to provide a common basis of comparison for thermal performance it is important to have validated simulation tools. This paper outlines a review and validation of the ISO 15099 centre-of-glass thermal transmittance correlations for naturally ventilated cavities through measurement and detailed simulations. The focus is on the impacts of room-side ventilated cavities, such as those found with solar screens and horizontal louvred blinds. The thermal transmittance of these systems is measured experimentally, simulated using computational fluid dynamics analysis, and simulated utilizing simplified correlations from ISO 15099. Correlation coefficients are proposed for the ISO 15099 algorithm that reduces the mean error between measured and simulated heat flux for typical solar screens from 16% to 3.5% and from 13% to 1% for horizontal blinds.

This guideline is intended to provide information relevant to the specification of triple- pane insulating glass (IG) units where the thickness of lite number 2 (center lite) is less than or equal to the thickness of lite numbers 1 and 3. Procedures and charts are presented to determine the load resistance (LR) of common soda-lime glass thicknesses from 0.7 mm (3/128 in.) to 1.8 mm (9/128 in.) exposed to a uniform lateral load of short or long duration, for a 0.008 probability of breakage. Deflection under load, horizontal self-weight deflection, and natural frequency procedures and charts are also included to aide in the selection of glass thickness to meet manufacturing and/or loading criteria determined by the user.

Heat transfer through the building envelope and associated air leakage comprise the largest HVAC loads in most climates, and windows, which are known as the weakest link in the thermal envelope, are responsible for about 5 Quads, or approximately 10%, of building energy use. Therefore, windows offer a significant opportunity for building energy savings. High performance windows, such as triple glazing, though comprised of less than 2% of all US window sales in 2016 and has remained stagnant because they typically require a full and expensive redesign of the typical window sash and frame. One potential low incremental cost solution to kick start the market is upgrading the glazing with a thin-glass triple-pane design that does not require modifications to existing frame and sash. In this work, we first define the characteristics and performance of current “typical” residential windows through an examination of the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) Certified Products Directory (CPD). With knowledge of the typical window, we determine the potential thermal performance impact of replacing typical glazing with thin-glass triple-pane glazing. Finally, with an understanding of the potential improvements to traditional performance metrics, such as U-factor, we show the energy savings potential of the thin-triple glazing in place of typical low-e windows in residential buildings is 16% in heating dominated climates such as Minneapolis, MN, 12% in mixed climates such as Washington DC, and 7% in cooling dominated climates such as Houston, TX.