Windows and Overhangs For Perfect Use Of Solar Heat

Choosing Appropriate Windows and Overhangs

The windows that face the sun heat up the house on direct gain. For older windows, although they are able to admit in solar heat, there are also a lot of losses of heat because of poor insulation and air leaks.

Recently sold, more energy efficient windows are designed to let in solar heat during cold climates, are airtight and are well insulated. Hence, builders for cold climate countries have no worries about the orientation of the glasses towards the south and blocking in the directions of north, east and west views.

Naturally, proper installation is needed to keep the window details from leading to moisture problems and infiltration. Improper utilization of glazing can generate too much heat especially on summer seasons.

The north side of the house is where low infiltration rates and multiple glazing's are most important. Most of the sunshine comes from the south, east and west, and the north wind is oftentimes the coldest.

North glass should provide consistent intensity and color of daylight, eliminating the annoying glares. Low-glare day lighting is able to reduce the energy consumption in homes or offices by terminating the need of daytime electric lights.

East and west windows should receive heat and light. But, they are very hard to shade especially from the summer sun. Windows on the east don't waste much energy; they just let in the morning sunshine and drive away the nighttime chill.

However, windows on the west fill the house with heat during summer afternoons, making them nearly energy winners. Glasses facing on both east and west side are more acceptable if they were chosen for the correct and proper characteristics.

For any climate, gas fills and multiple glazing's can improve the insulation of the window. A variety of window coatings and films will be suitable, depending on the combination of heat, sun, cold and clouds. You can utilize more east and west facing glass, provided you need to shade the windows. Vegetation outside the house can help in shading the low-angle sunlight.

In the Northern Hemisphere, the sun rises in the southeast direction and passes through the southern part of the sky to set in the southwest direction. Therefore, the best location for the windows is in the southern part of the house.

It is where the sun can penetrate into the living space and warm up the house. It is easy to shade southern windows from summer sunlight, because during summer, the sun rises in northeast direction, passes overhead and sets in northwest direction.

Roof overhang for 40 degree North Latitude

Picture of windows and overhangs

Overhangs, on the other hand serve the purpose of shading the windows in different seasons and can prevent our home from overheating. During cold climates, overhangs must be designed for the whole season of sun hitting the south glass.

For summer months, overhangs should completely shade windows facing the south. And during winter time, full sunlight must be allowed on windows. Shading on the midsummer seems to be easy to achieve because in the times, overhangs must be designed for a full shade on the glasses on the south.

Moreover, south windows overhangs must be assorted for the height of the wall, windows and the details of construction where the roof is meeting the wall. East and west windows demands for much longer overhangs. These windows can also be shaded by trees and porches.

Other than windows and overhangs you should consider thermal mass and site location to get a good solar home designs

From windows and overhangs back to solar home designs