Installation of Energy Efficient Windows –
The Definitive Guide

There is no greater way to save on energy bills and conserve energy than Ottawa commercial window repair and installation of energy efficient windows – especially on old homes! This is because most homes have windows as the least isolated surface.

Find why and how you can save on your energy bill and be more green today.

INSIGHTS:

• Energy Efficient Windows Essential Objectives
• Overview: Energy Efficient Windows Framework
• Window Energy Word List – Understand the Terminology
• Checklist Involve Design, Specification, and Installation for Window
• 10 Factors to Consider Before Purchasing
• American & Canadian Sources

Energy Efficient Windows Essential

Objectives:

• Most homes have windows as the least isolated surface, as a result, improving the windows’ energy performance is vital
• To have twice insulation value compare than the standard double-pane window, there are several options of energy features such as low-e coatings, argon gas fill and insulated spacers that may be used as an aid
• There are benefits that can be gained from energy-efficient windows, such as coziness enrichment and fewer condensations.
• Usage of energy-efficient windows will give bigger savings within a couple years that can compensate any extra costs when you decide to buy

Overview: Energy Efficient Windows

Framework

The smart buyer will get energy-efficient windows to maintain the cost and enhance the coziness years ahead, as a long-term period investment. Moreover, nowadays, the energy-efficient windows not only offer top quality feats, it also comes with an affordable price.

Several energy-efficiency characteristics presented for new or replacement windows, such as:

• Coverings and films with low missivity (low-e)
• Thermopane glass parts containing inert gas between the panes
• Spacers with isolated border
• Insulated Frames
• Extra layers of glazing

Window Energy Word List

Comprehend the Terminology

• Air Leakage Rating: the rate of infiltration measurement taken surrounding the window or skylight when a strong wind appear. It measured by units of cubic feet per minute per square foot (cfm/ft2) of window area or cubic feet per minute per foot (cfm/ft) of window perimeter length. If the rating gained from the window air leakage is fewer, then the airtightness is greater.
• Conduction: A straight contact from heat flow throughout asolid material, for example glass or wood, andfrom a material to the other in an assembly, for instance a window.
• Convection: The heat flow obtained from acirculating gas or liquid, for example the room air or the windowpanes’ air or gas among it.
• Fenestration: Parts of interior or exterior from window or skylight,like shades or blinds. It is important to determine the location of a building’s windows openings as an exterior façade.
• Gas Fill: in order to reduce the U- factor with decreased the conduction and convection, a gas will be placed within window or skylight glazing panes other than air.
• Glazing: Window or skylight with a glass or plastic panes
• Infiltration: Unintended air flow that comes into the building from exterior surface breaks. Several causes such as, surrounding window’s joints and cracks, or skylight frames, sash, and glazing can make this event happen.
• Low-Emittance (Low-E) Coating: An virtually invisible, microscopically thin layer from metal or metallic oxide that placed withinthe surface from window or skylight glazing surface mainly to lessen the radioactive heat flow that passed the windowor skylight and resulting fewer U-factor.
• Radiation: The form of electromagnetic waves that come from unconnected surface to another and transfer the heat. The sun’s energy attains the earth by radiation, and the heat from a person’s body can be loss because of a cold windowor skylight surface with a similar way.
• R-Value: A material or heat flow assembly resistance measurement. It is the inversion of U-factor (R = 1/U) and isconveyed in units of hr-ft2-˚F/Btu. A better heat flow resistance and insulating value has higher window R-value.
• Shading Coefficient (SC): A measurement ofa window or skylight ability totransmit solar heat, relative to that abilityfor 1/8-inch clear, double-strength, single glass. It is equivalent to the Solar Heat GainCoefficient multiplied by 1.15 and isstated as a number without unitsbetween 0 and 1. A greater shading will be gained with window that have a lowerShading Coefficient and transmits less solar Heat.
• Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC): An absorbed andconsequently released inward, directly transmitted of solar radiation fraction that admittedover a window or skylight. The Shading Coefficient has been substituted by SolarHeat Gain Coefficient as the standard indicatorof a window’s shading ability. It isstated as a number without unitsbetween 0 and 1. A greater shading will be delivered from a window with lessenSolar Heat Gain Coefficient that transmits fewer solar heat.
• Spectrally Selective Glazing: A specificallyengineered low-E coated or tinted glazingthat prevents out much of the sun’s heatwhile transmitting significant daylight.
• U-Factor (U-Value): A measurement of heat flow rate throughout the material orassembly. It is stated in units ofBtu/hr-ft2-˚F or W/m2-˚C. The U-factor frequently used to define the rate of non-solarheat loss or obtained through a window orskylight by the window manufacturersand engineers. A better resistance to heat flow and greater insulating value comes from less window U-factors.
• Visible Transmittance: The percentage orfraction from visible light transmitted by awindow or skylight.

Checklist Involve Design, Specification, and Installation for Window

A checklist guidance provided in choosing commercial and residential windows and skylights for the property managers, builders, architects, and the homeowners.

With several factors and wide climate variety, occupant needs, and utility costs to consider; it may be difficult before deciding on the right window.

The check boxes is given to mark the entries throughout the selection or design procedure.

NOTE: Not all situations can be applied with the entry below and a contradictive general guidance may occur since not all detailed situations can be stated. The users should applied the items according their needs

Value of Insulating and Resistance of Condensation

• As a guidance to select the window, find the NFRC U-factor ratings and labels.
• If the heat is needed in all climates, ensure to choose a double-pane windows. Choose for a low-E coatings double – or triple-pane windows with gas filling during cold climates in order to decrease the heat loss and condensation.
• If the heat is needed in all climates along with lesser loss of heat and condensation from frame and, choose for wood, vinyl, fiberglass, or appropriately designed, thermally broken aluminum frames windows.
• To have an extra window insulation in cold climates, the usage of heavy drapes, thermal shades, or thermal shutters can be given

Solar Control and Protection from Ultraviolet

• As a guidance to select the window, find the NFRC Solar Heat Gain Coefficient ratings and labels.
• To lessen the obtained solar heat (SHGC less than 0.4) and preserve a high visible transmittance (glass transmittance greater than 0.6), choose for spectrally selective glazings (particular tints or adjusted low-E coatings) windows.
• To decrease the obtained solar heat and constraint the glare with reducing visible transmittance, choose for tinted windows.
• To lessen the ultraviolet transmission for rooms with materials that tends to fade, choose for special glazings (with plastic layers or low-E coatings); consult an expert for assisting if this is a crucial matter.

Daylight and View

• As a guidance to select the window, find the NFRC Visible Light Transmittance ratings and labels.
• To deliver sufficient daylight levels in every space, opt for the window size, location, and glass type.
• To ensure maximum outward visibility, opt for windows with high visible transmittances (more than 50%).
• To have benefits from desirable views, identify the window sizes and positions in walls.
• Avoid having a glare by locating the windows far from bright external surfaces.

Ventilation and Airtightness

• Go along with the installation guidelines from the manufacturer’s.
• For rooms that required significant ventilation through mild weather and have abuilding code egress, choose for operable windows.
• In order to get the most out of effective ventilation area, choose for casement or awning windows.
• With the purpose of having a greater precipitation elimination during ventilating, choose for awning windows.
• To enhance the best cross-ventilation, locate the operable windows in opposite walls of living spaces
• In order to lessen the infiltration, choose for fixed windows or windows with compression seals.
• With the intention of lessening the infiltration, choose for windows and skylights with continuous edge seals.
• With the aim of decreasing the infiltration, seal and caulk the surroundings of the window and skylight frames and sash.

Controlling the Noise

• Locate external sources of extreme noise farther from the windows.
• To reduce the exterior noise sources, locate the double- or triple-pane windows that have unequal thickness of panes, laminated glass, or gas fills

Privacy, Safety, and Security

• To provide extra privacy, choose for interior shading devices that can avoid a direct view.
• Ensure the building codes for fire, wind-loading, as well as the seismic safety before choose and locate any windows or skylights.

Maintenance, Durability, and Lifetime

• Assess the durability and lifetime guarantees before choose the windows and skylights.
• Inspect the window construction quality.
• For wood window and skylight frames, choose protective paints, stains, or sealants or select clad wood products.
• In order to keep the glazing, sash, frame, and hardware in good repair, follow the manufacturer’s guidelines.

Installation

• Before perform the window and skylights installment, assess all applicable building codes.
• Thoroughly, follow the installation guidelines that provided by the manufacturer.

Privacy, Safety, and Security

• When considering to buy skylights and windows, assess the relative effects on utility bills. Get in touch with the NFRC, energy specialists or utility representatives to evaluate the energy and cost savings that will be endowed by energy-efficient windows and skylights.
• When choose the windows and skylights, assess their effects on the home resale value.
• When installing energy-efficient windows and skylights, consider to check local, provincial, federal energy efficiency programs and utility energy conservation programs for economic incentives.

SUMMARY – 10 Factors to Consider Before Purchasing

In summary, BEFORE purchasing a replacement window, consider these 10 factors:

1. Is the product come from reliable manufacturer?
2. Consider the window endurance before you have to change it
3. Check the window guarantee. Read the fine print.
4. What qualities do you need in a window?
5. Is the window energy-efficient?
6. Is the window commended as an energy star? Does the window requirements acceptable for the tax credit?
7. Consider the amount of panes that the window will have
8. Assess the multiple layers of soft coating that the window have.
9. Are the gas filled in the spaces between the panes will aid to insulate the window?
10. Lastly, do a security locking system quality assessment

RESOURCES

In seeking information concerning windows and energy efficiency in general, there are several local resources worth investigating:

• • Local utilities
• • Federal, provincial and/or municipal energy agencies
• • Regional universities with architecture, construction, or extension programs
• • Bookstores
• • Product literature at home improvement centers
• • Local builder’s associations
• • Recommended Web Sites

Insulating Glass Manufacturers’ Association of Canada (IGMAC)
27 Goulburn Avenue Ottawa, ON K1N 8C7
Tel: (613) 233-1510 Fax: (613) 233-1929
www.igmac.ca

Association des manufacturiers de fenêtres d’aluminium (AMFA)
174 St-Laurent Street
Saint-Eustache, PQ J7P 5G4
Tel: (450) 623-6123 Fax: (450) 623-4788
www.amfa.com

American Architectural Manufacturers Association: http://www.AAMAnet.org
American Institute of Architects: http://www.aia.org
American Solar Energy Society: http://www.ases.org/solar
American Society of Heating, Refrigerating & Air Conditioning Engineers: http://www.ashrae.org
Home Energy Magazine: http://www.homeenergy.org
National Association of Home Builders: http://www.nahb.com
National Fenestration Rating Council: http://www.nfrc.org
National Wood Window and Door Association: http://www.nwwda.org
National Research Council of Canada: http://www.cisti.nrc.ca:80/irc/irccontents.html
Natural Resources Canada: http://www.NRCan.gc.ca Passive Solar Industries Council: http://www.psic.org
U.S. Department of Energy: http://www.eren.doe.gov

Recommended Reading

Residential Windows: A Guide to New Technologies and Energy Performance, By John Carmody, Stephen Selkowitz, and Lisa Heschong, W.W. Norton &Company, 1996; http://www.wwnorton.com

Request Quote