Mo_S
Registered Users
Posts:4
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| 06/04/2007 2:01 PM |
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We've planned on utilizing passive solar in our house (tile installed over warmboard, with a solar hot water/backup water heater supply), about to start building next month.
On the north, west and east faces of the house, low U, low SHGC windows are the only way to go, but on the south side, we want to let the heat in during the day and we don't want to let it out at night. This seems as though we'd need low E (low U), high(er) SHGC windows - which I've hunted around for and can't find.
I've seen such windows cited in literature as Brand X for comparison purposes to show why (Andersen, Marvin, Pella, Certainteed, Milgard) windows are superior, but I can't find any actual windows with those stats. Any suggestions? We're on the sunny side of the Cascades in Oregon, and maybe these type windows are available in other regions but not ours?
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Kevin_in_Denver
Registered Users
Posts:25
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| 06/15/2007 3:26 AM |
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I've bought the higher SHGC windows from Hurd in the past. Also call Cardinal, the glass supplier. The industry term for what you're looking for is "hard coat".
It's a commonly overlooked problem, and totally worth doing. You can feel the extra warmth pouring in.
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slenzen
Registered Users
Posts:163
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| 06/15/2007 10:39 AM |
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| I am also planning a passive solar home. I have a south facing lake lot in MN. Even with our famous cold winters, the problem I have is MN summers can be very hot. It's 90+ now and relatively high humidity. How do I cut down the heat intake in the summer? I am planning an ICF w/ lots of south facing windows towards the lake. Maybe even the commercial storefront type in a modern home. |
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Jelly
Registered Users
Posts:274
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| 11/05/2007 9:25 AM |
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| slenzen - Not to be too obvious, but have you considered real shutters? Each time I've been in southern Europe in the summer I am amazed at the difference in interior temperature when you remember to close the shutters by mid-morning. Ok they won't work if you're doing the commercial storefront thing. In that case you can get those retractable awnings - also very stylish and popular in Europe as well as effective. Just some ideas... |
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billmh
Registered Users
Posts:37
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| 12/10/2007 8:33 PM |
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There are lots of stories about the affects of over glazing, even to the point of having to open windows on a very cold winter day. So that nice view of the lake could be from the inside of an oven if you are not careful. It is best to design the amount of glazing for your area based on shade, roof overhang, shutters, etc.
Bill |
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rancov
Registered Users
Posts:18
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| 01/16/2008 5:49 PM |
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| Passive solar design should consider shading the windows to prevent to much heat gain in summer and allowing more in the winter. Look up incidence of angle of sun on Google. |
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Randy |
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chezhsu
Registered Users
Posts:7
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| 01/18/2008 3:13 AM |
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| Being German, I agree with Jelly. Real shutters are the way to go, and in case of the Storefront Thing, you can get exterior Rollshutters. Just make sure your window design doesn't require a shutter too large for wind loads, e.g. larger than 4'wide x 8' tall or so. Some window suppliers offer them built into the window unit so you have only one installation but those are quite pricey (imported from Europe and the Euro is strong...). Separate units can easily be found from several suppliers on the web. I'm looking for some for my own home right now and had some recommendations for a 'relatively' local company near Olympia, WA, with whom I'm talking right now: Sunblockers Northwest (blockthatsun.com). Feel free to ask me for names of other places. |
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lambabbey
Registered Users
Posts:71
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| 03/17/2008 7:11 PM |
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I've been considering two options of fiberglass windows, Fibertec and Thermotech. They both make triple-pane low-e windows exclusively, and offer options for glass that are ideal for south-facing windows. That's one of the reasons why I'm going with one of them (I've not yet decided which.)
Download this file from Fibertec: http://www.fibertec.com/pictures/products/techInfo_157.pdf It's the tech specs for their fixed windows, although you'll find comparable spec sheets on their website for every kind of windows they make (all fiberglass.)
The windows you'll probably want for the south-facing side of your home will probably be the following:
Triple glaze, 1 Low E(LOF) 2 Arg, 2 W/E 0.22 0.51 0.59
These have a 0.22 U-factor (just under an R-5) but a solar heat gain coefficient of 0.51, which is pretty good for south-facing windows. You'll have to have the folks at Fibertec flush out the significance of the remaining numbers and abbreviations. Ask for Steven Hall at Fibertec. His office number is 1-888-232-4956 x38. He knows his stuff. Tell him the guy in Maine sent you.
John |
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John A Gasbarre
Lamb Abbey Orchards
PO Box 623
Union, ME 04863
E-mail: orchard@lambabbey.com |
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