Every homeowner should learn the basics of certain design concepts, particularly those geared towards making homes more energy-efficient. Some concepts include south-facing windows and passive heating. Here are a few things about them you may not know.
Basics
According to the National Institute of Building Sciences, passive solar heating involves the “collection of solar energy through properly-oriented, south-facing windows”. The Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), meanwhile, recommends that, “If you’re planning a new passive solar home, a portion of the south side of your house must have an unobstructed ‘view’ of the sun.”
Make Them Work
Homes that have passive solar designs are better able to stay warm throughout fall and winter, and cool during the summer months. The ideal window orientation will allow your home to absorb enough sunlight while the climate is cooler and use that heat to warm your home. To prevent too much sunlight from making your home uncomfortably hot, it will help to have access to good options for replacement windows.
Reaping the Benefits
You can best experience the benefits of south-facing windows if they are built with High Performance™ Low-E4® glass. Different iterations of such windows are proven to be effective against solar heat gain even as they allow a good amount of sunlight into your home. Installation by professionals is also key to ensure that your windows will function as expected.
Learn more about great design concepts that can improve your home from the top-quality window replacement service provider, Renewal by Andersen® of Southwest Missouri. We provide no-obligation estimates to help homeowners understand what types of windows may work best for them and their home. Give us a call at (417) 351-2801, or fill out our contact form here.
