A Comparative Energy Efficiency Study of Different Glazing Systems in Residential and Commercial Building Applications

Abstract

Buildings use nearly 40% of the nation’s total energy use. Using advanced energy efficient glazing systems is essential for improving energy performance of existing buildings. One method of reducing energy consumption is to replace inefficient single glazed window units with their newer, more energy efficient counterparts. The primary objective of this study was using industry available energy modeling software packages to investigate the performance of several commonly used glazing technologies for multiple climates with an overarching goal to determine how each performs annually. Thermal and energy analyses were carried out using three energy analysis software packages commonly used in residential and commercial building energy analysis. The paper provides an introduction to several different glazing system technologies and their impact on annual energy use for residential and commercial buildings for multiple climates. The result of the energy modeling and analysis has led to some guidelines with respect to the choice of glazing system considering the U-factor and solar heat gain for different climates. The paper contributes by creating charts to illustrate which product category best suits design requirements, which can help designers in selecting the best product from among alternative products.