Solar heating through windows: Design model, calculation, and proposal.

Abstract

A single open architecture program (VENTANASOL) is presented for the calculation of solar gains and glazing heat losses in dwellings. The project shows how –in cold weather (Bariloche)– the energy balance of a single glass window is strongly negative, justifying the traditional solution of small windows. Three new options are discussed, with their balances being: 1) positive or negative with double pane glass (DVH), based on their orientation; 2) strongly positive, introducing thermal shades to the single glass; and 3) moderately positive with DVH and thermal shades. It has been observed how a NE-NW arrangement with two windows minimizes daily sun gains during winter and autumn-spring, with up to 50% improvements compared to the traditional option (North). Two glass walls with thermal shades and Trombe wall (18 square meters each) are suggested to heat a house in Bariloche (13,000 kWh/year).