01885nas a2200169 4500008004100000050001500041245008600056210006900142260002700211520128600238100002501524700002401549700001901573700002201592700002201614856007901636 2006 eng d aLBNL-6124900aEvaluating Fenestration Products for Zero-Energy Buildings: Issues for Discussion0 aEvaluating Fenestration Products for ZeroEnergy Buildings Issues aCambridge, MAc08/20063 a
Computer modeling to determine fenestration product energy properties (U-factor, SHGC, VT) has emerged as the most cost-effective and accurate means to quantify them. Fenestration product simulation tools have been effective in increasing the use of low-e coatings and gas fills in insulating glass and in the widespread use of insulating frame designs and materials. However, for more efficient fenestration products (low heat loss products, dynamic products, products with non-specular optical characteristics, light redirecting products) to achieve widespread use, fenestration modeling software needs to be improved.
This paper addresses the following questions:
1) Are the current properties (U, SHGC, VT) calculated sufficient to compare and distinguish between windows suitable for Zero Energy Buildings and conventional window products? If not, what data on the thermal and optical performance, on comfort, and on peak demand of windows is needed.
2) Are the algorithms in the tools sufficient to model the thermal and optical processes? Are specific heat transfer and optical effects not accounted for? Is the existing level of accuracy enough to distinguish between products designed for Zero Energy Buildings? Is the current input data adequate?
1 aArasteh, Dariush, K.1 aCurcija, Dragan, C.1 aHuang, Yu, Joe1 aHuizenga, Charlie1 aKohler, Christian uhttps://facades.lbl.gov/publications/evaluating-fenestration-products-zero01286nas a2200169 4500008004100000050001500041245006100056210006100117260002400178520073100202100002500933700001800958700001900976700002200995700002001017856007901037 2006 eng d aLBNL-5919000aPerformance Criteria for Residential Zero Energy Windows0 aPerformance Criteria for Residential Zero Energy Windows aDallas, TXc01/20073 aThis paper shows that the energy requirements for today's typical efficient window products (i.e. ENERGY STAR products) are significant when compared to the needs of Zero Energy Homes (ZEHs). Through the use of whole house energy modeling, typical efficient products are evaluated in five US climates and compared against the requirements for ZEHs. Products which meet these needs are defined as a function of climate. In heating dominated climates, windows with U-factors of 0.10 Btu/hr-ft2-F (0.57 W/m2-K) will become energy neutral. In mixed heating/cooling climates a low U-factor is not as significant as the ability to modulate from high SHGCs (heating season) to low SHGCs (cooling season).
1 aArasteh, Dariush, K.1 aGoudey, Howdy1 aHuang, Yu, Joe1 aKohler, Christian1 aMitchell, Robin uhttps://facades.lbl.gov/publications/performance-criteria-residential-zero01869nas a2200157 4500008004100000245003300041210003200074260005100106520137600157100002001533700001901553700002501572700002201597700002301619856006901642 2005 eng d00aRESFEN5: Program Description0 aRESFEN5 Program Description bLawrence Berkeley National Laboratoryc05/20053 aA computer tool such as RESFEN can help consumers and builders pick the most energy-efficient and cost-effective window for a given application, whether it is a new home, an addition, or a window replacement. It calculates heating and cooling energy use and associated costs as well as peak heating and cooling demand for specific window products. Users define a specific scenario by specifying house type (single-story or two-story), geographic location, orientation, electricity and gas cost, and building configuration details (such as wall, floor, and HVAC system type). Users also specify size, shading, and thermal properties of the window they wish to investigate. The thermal properties that RESFEN requires are: U-factor, Solar Heat Gain Coefficient, and air leakage rate. RESFEN calculates the energy and cost implications of the window compared to an insulated wall. The relative energy and cost impacts of two different windows can be compared.
RESFEN 3.0 was a major improvement over previous versions because it performs hourly calculations using a version of the DOE 2.1E (LBL 1980, Winkelmann et al. 1993) energy analysis simulation program. RESFEN 3.1 incorporates additional improvements including input assumptions for the base case buildings taken from the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) Annual Energy Subcommittee's efforts.
1 aMitchell, Robin1 aHuang, Yu, Joe1 aArasteh, Dariush, K.1 aHuizenga, Charlie1 aGlendenning, Steve uhttps://facades.lbl.gov/publications/resfen5-program-description01246nas a2200169 4500008004100000050001500041245006200056210006100118260002500179520069000204100001900894700002000913700002700933700002500960700002200985856006901007 2004 eng d aLBNL-5551700aDevelopment of Trade-Off Equations for EnergyStar Windows0 aDevelopment of TradeOff Equations for EnergyStar Windows aBoulder, COc08/20043 aThe authors explore the feasibility of adding a performance option to DOE's EnergyStar© Windows program whereby windows of differing U-factors and SHGCs can qualify so long as they have equivalent annual energy performance. An iterative simulation procedure is used to calculate trade-off equations giving the change in SHGC needed to compensate for a change in U-factor. Of the four EnergyStar© Window climate zones, trade-off equations are possible only in the Northern and Southern zones. In the North/Central and South/Central zones, equations are not possible either because of large intrazone climate variations or the current SHGC requirements are already near optimum.
1 aHuang, Yu, Joe1 aMitchell, Robin1 aSelkowitz, Stephen, E.1 aArasteh, Dariush, K.1 aClear, Robert, D. uhttps://facades.lbl.gov/publications/development-trade-equations01767nas a2200169 4500008004100000050001500041245005000056210004900106260002900155300001200184490001400196520124500210100002101455700002501476700001901501856007701520 2002 eng d aLBNL-5191300aFuture Advanced Windows for Zero-Energy Homes0 aFuture Advanced Windows for ZeroEnergy Homes aKansas City, MOc06/2003 a871-8880 v109, pt 23 aOver the past 15 years, low-emissivity and other technological improvements have significantly improved the energy efficiency of windows sold in the United States. However, as interest increases in the concept of zero-energy homes—buildings that do not consume any nonrenewable or net energy from the utility grid—even today's highest-performance window products will not be sufficient. This simulation study compares today's typical residential windows, today's most efficient residential windows, and several options for advanced window technologies, including products with improved fixed or static properties and products with dynamic solar heat gain properties. Nine representative window products are examined in eight representative U.S. climates. Annual energy and peak demand impacts are investigated. We conclude that a new generation of window products is necessary for zero-energy homes if windows are not to be an energy drain on these homes. Windows with dynamic solar heat gain properties are found to offer significant potential in reducing energy use and peak demands in northern and central climates, while windows with very low (static) solar heat gain properties offer the most potential in southern climates.
1 aApte, Joshua, S.1 aArasteh, Dariush, K.1 aHuang, Yu, Joe uhttps://facades.lbl.gov/publications/future-advanced-windows-zero-energy01238nas a2200169 4500008004100000050001500041245008000056210006900136260002700205520065300232100002500885700001900910700002000929700002200949700002200971856007500993 1999 eng d aLBNL-4402000aA Database of Window Annual Energy Use in Typical North American Residences0 aDatabase of Window Annual Energy Use in Typical North American R aDallas, Texasc02/20003 aThis paper documents efforts by the National Fenestration Rating Council to develop a database on annual energy impacts of windows in a typical new, single family, single story residence in various U.S. and Canadian climates. The result is a database of space heating and space cooling energies for 14 typical windows in 52 North American climates. (Future efforts will address the effects of skylights.) This paper describes how this database was created, documents the assumptions used in creating this database, elaborates on assumptions, which need further research, examines the results, and describes the possible uses of the database.
1 aArasteh, Dariush, K.1 aHuang, Yu, Joe1 aMitchell, Robin1 aClear, Robert, D.1 aKohler, Christian uhttps://facades.lbl.gov/publications/database-window-annual-energy-use02024nas a2200169 4500008004100000024001100041245011600052210006900168260006100237520137600298100002001674700001901694700002501713700002101738700002101759856007401780 1999 eng d aBS-37100aRESFEN 3.1: A PC Program for Calculating the Heating and Cooling Energy Use of Windows in Residential Buildings0 aRESFEN 31 A PC Program for Calculating the Heating and Cooling E aBerkeleybLawrence Berkeley National Laboratoryc08/19993 aA computer tool such as RESFEN can help consumers and builders pick the most energy-efficient and cost-effective window for a given application, whether it is a new home, an addition, or a window replacement. It calculates heating and cooling energy use and associated costs as well as peak heating and cooling demand for specific window products. Users define a specific scenario by specifying house type (single-story or two-story), geographic location, orientation, electricity and gas cost, and building configuration details (such as wall, floor, and HVAC system type). Users also specify size, shading, and thermal properties of the window they wish to investigate. The thermal properties that RESFEN requires are: U-factor, Solar Heat Gain Coefficient, and air leakage rate. RESFEN calculates the energy and cost implications of the window compared to an insulated wall. The relative energy and cost impacts of two different windows can be compared.
RESFEN 3.0 was a major improvement over previous versions because it performs hourly calculations using a version of the DOE 2.1E (LBL 1980, Winkelmann et al. 1993) energy analysis simulation program. RESFEN 3.1 incorporates additional improvements including input assumptions for the base case buildings taken from the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) Annual Energy Subcommittee's efforts.
1 aMitchell, Robin1 aHuang, Yu, Joe1 aArasteh, Dariush, K.1 aSullivan, Robert1 aPhillip, Santosh uhttps://facades.lbl.gov/publications/resfen-31-pc-program-calculating02582nas a2200157 4500008004100000050001500041245006700056210006600123260003400189520203200223100001902255700002002274700002502294700002702319856007802346 1999 eng d aLBNL-4287100aResidential Fenestration Performance Analysis Using RESFEN 3.10 aResidential Fenestration Performance Analysis Using RESFEN 31 aClearwater Beach, FLc12/19983 aThis paper describes the development efforts of RESFEN 3.1, a PC-based computer program for calculating the heating and cooling energy performance and cost of residential fenestration systems. The development of RESFEN has been coordinated with ongoing efforts by the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) to develop an energy rating system for windows and skylights to maintain maximum consistency between RESFEN and NFRCs planned energy rating system. Unlike previous versions of RESFEN, that used regression equations to replicate a large data base of computer simulations, Version 3.1 produces results based on actual hour-by-hour simulations. This approach has been facilitated by the exponential increase in the speed of personal computers in recent years. RESFEN 3.1 has the capability of analyzing the energy performance of windows in new residential buildings in 52 North American locations. The user describes the physical, thermal and optical properties of the windows in each orientation, solar heat gain reductions due to obstructions, overhangs, or shades, and the location of the house. The RESFEN program then models a prototypical house for that location and calculates the energy use of the house using the DOE-2 program. The user can vary the HVAC system, foundation type, and utility costs. Results are presented for the annual heating and cooling energy use, energy cost, and peak energy demand of the house, and the incremental energy use or peak demand attributable to the windows in each orientation. This paper describes the capabilities of RESFEN 3.1, its usefulness in analyzing the energy performance of residential windows and its development effort and gives insight into the structure of the computer program. It also discusses the rationale and benefits of the approach taken in RESFEN in combining a simple-to-use graphical front-end with a detailed hour-by-hour simulation engine to produce an energy analysis tool for the general public that is user-friendly yet highly accurate.
1 aHuang, Yu, Joe1 aMitchell, Robin1 aArasteh, Dariush, K.1 aSelkowitz, Stephen, E. uhttps://facades.lbl.gov/publications/residential-fenestration-performance02194nas a2200181 4500008004100000050001500041245007900056210006900135260003100204520156500235100002501800700002901825700001901854700002201873700002001895700002301915856007401938 1998 eng d aLBNL-4215100aState-of-the-Art Software for Window Energy-Efficiency Rating and Labeling0 aStateoftheArt Software for Window EnergyEfficiency Rating and La aPacific Grove, CAc08/19983 aMeasuring the thermal performance of windows in typical residential buildings is an expensive proposition. Not only is laboratory testing expensive, but each window manufacturer typically offers hundreds of individual products, each of which has different thermal performance properties. With over a thousand window manufacturers nationally, a testing-based rating system would be prohibitively expensive to the industry and to consumers.
Beginning in the early 1990s, simulation software began to be used as part of a national program for rating window U-values. The rating program has since been expanded to include Solar Hear Gain Coefficients and is now being extended to annual energy performance.
This paper describes four software packages available to the public from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL). These software packages are used to evaluate window thermal performance: RESFEN (for evaluating annual energy costs), WINDOW (for calculating a products thermal performance properties), THERM (a preprocessor for WINDOW that determines two-dimensional heat-transfer effects), and Optics (a preprocessor for WINDOWs glass database).
Software not only offers a less expensive means than testing to evaluate window performance, it can also be used during the design process to help manufacturers produce windows that will meet target specifications. In addition, software can show small improvements in window performance that might not be detected in actual testing because of large uncertainties in test procedures.
1 aArasteh, Dariush, K.1 aFinlayson, Elizabeth, U.1 aHuang, Yu, Joe1 aHuizenga, Charlie1 aMitchell, Robin1 aRubin, Michael, D. uhttps://facades.lbl.gov/publications/state-art-software-window-energy02619nas a2200169 4500008003900000024001100039245011600050210006900166260005100235300000700286520199700293100001902290700002102309700002502330700002002355856007402375 1997 d aBS-37100aRESFEN 3.0: A PC Program for Calculating the Heating and Cooling Energy Use of Windows in Residential Buildings0 aRESFEN 30 A PC Program for Calculating the Heating and Cooling E bLawrence Berkeley National Laboratoryc12/1997 a383 aToday's energy-efficient windows can dramatically lower the heating and cooling costs associated with windows while increasing occupant comfort and minimizing window surface condensation problems. However, consumers are often confused about how to pick the most efficient window for their residence. They are typically given window properties such as U-factors or R-values, Solar Heat Gain Coefficients or Shading Coefficients, and air leakage rates. However, the relative importance of these properties depends on the site and building specific conditions. Furthermore, these properties are based on static evaluation conditions that are very different from the real situation the window will be used in. Knowing the energy and associated cost implications of different windows will help consumers and builders make the best decision for their particular application, whether it is a new home, an addition, or a window replacement.
A computer tool such as RESFEN can help consumers and builders pick the most energy-efficient and cost-effective window for a given application. It calculates the heating and cooling energy use and associated costs as well as the peak heating and cooling demand for specific window products. Users define a problem by specifying the house type (single story or two story), geographic location, orientation, electricity and gas cost, and building configuration details (such as wall type, floor type, and HVAC systems). Window options are defined by specifying the window`s size, shading, and thermal properties: U-factor, Solar Heat Gain Coefficient, and air leakage rate. RESFEN calculates the energy and cost implications of the windows compared to insulated walls. The relative energy and cost impacts of two different windows can be compared against each other.
RESFEN 3.0 is a major improvement over previous versions of RESFEN because it performs hourly calculations using a version of the DOE 2.1E energy analysis simulation program.
1 aHuang, Yu, Joe1 aSullivan, Robert1 aArasteh, Dariush, K.1 aMitchell, Robin uhttps://facades.lbl.gov/publications/resfen-30-pc-program-calculating