U.S. Department of Energy Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy U.S. Department of Energy Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy

Fenestration

Proficiency Level 1: Remember

Source: Dr. Heather Dillon
Dr. Heather Dillon

Define key terms including u-factor, NFRC label, SHGC, VT, air leakage, and LSG.

Source: Dr. Heather Dillon
Dr. Heather Dillon

Describe different window operation methods and be prepared to comment on air leakage implications.

Proficiency Level 2: Understand

Source: Dr. Heather Dillon
Dr. Heather Dillon

Describe types of window frames and glazing including low-e, tinting, and reflective coatings

Source: Dr. Heather Dillon
Dr. Heather Dillon

Describe ways that sunlight transmittance is measured and rated.

Proficiency Level 3: Apply

Source: Dr. Heather Dillon
Dr. Heather Dillon

Sketch the primary components of a window and describe the role that each plays (frame, panes, sill, etc.).

List the most important window installation steps

Proficiency Level 4: Analyze

Source: Dr. Heather Dillon
Dr. Heather Dillon

Classify window performance for specific regions using information from the NFRC label.

Source: Dr. Heather Dillon
Dr. Heather Dillon

Explain the importance of u-factors in predicting window performance.

Proficiency Level 5: Evaluate

Source: Dr. Heather Dillon
Dr. Heather Dillon

Select the best window system for specific orientations and geography.

Proficiency Level 1: Remember

Source: U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Performance Ratings for Windows, Doors and Skylights
U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Performance Ratings for Windows, Doors and Skylights
Fenestration - Define Key Terms - RememberThese lecture notes provide detail about key terms related to fenestration. (One Hour)
Source: Dr. Heather Dillon
Dr. Heather Dillon
Source: U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Performance Ratings for Windows, Doors and Skylights
U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Performance Ratings for Windows, Doors and Skylights
Fenestration - Primary Window Components - Remember Basic information about window components. (One Hour)
Source: Dr. Heather Dillon
Dr. Heather Dillon
Source: Efficient Windows Collaborative
Efficient Windows Collaborative
Source: U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficient Windows
U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficient Windows
Fenestration - Window Operation Methods - RememberThese lecture notes provide information about window operation methods. (One Hour)

Proficiency Level 2: Understand

Source: Dr. Heather Dillon
Dr. Heather Dillon
Source: U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Performance Ratings for Windows, Doors and Skylights
U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Performance Ratings for Windows, Doors and Skylights
Fenestration - Physical Measurements and Rating Labels - UnderstandThese lecture notes provides basic information about physical properties of windows and the associated window rating labels. (One Hour)
Source: U.S. DOE - Window Types
U.S. DOE - Window Types
Fenestration - Window Types - UnderstandThese lecture notes provide information about various window energy-efficient types that are available for design and installation. (One Hour)

Proficiency Level 3: Apply

Source: Building America Solution Center
Building America Solution Center
Source: Measure Guideline: Energy-Efficient Window Performance and Selection
Measure Guideline: Energy-Efficient Window Performance and Selection
Source: U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficient Windows
U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficient Windows
Fenestration - Correct Window Installation Methods - ApplyThese lecture notes provide information about the correct methods to install windows in buildings. (Three Hours)
Source: Dr. Heather Dillon
Dr. Heather Dillon
Source: Measure Guideline: Energy-Efficient Window Performance and Selection
Measure Guideline: Energy-Efficient Window Performance and Selection
Source: U.S. DOE - Window Types
U.S. DOE - Window Types
Fenestration - Primary Window Components - ApplyIn depth information about window components. (Three Hours)

Proficiency Level 4: Analyze

Source: Measure Guideline: Energy-Efficient Window Performance and Selection
Measure Guideline: Energy-Efficient Window Performance and Selection
Importance of U-FactorsThese lecture notes describe the importance of u-factors in window selection. (One Hour)

Proficiency Level 5: Evaluate

Source: Dr. Heather Dillon
Dr. Heather Dillon
Source: Measure Guideline: Energy-Efficient Window Performance and Selection
Measure Guideline: Energy-Efficient Window Performance and Selection
Source: U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficient Windows
U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficient Windows
Fenestration - Window Selection - EvaluateThese lecture notes provide information about how to choose the correct window for a certain application. (One Hour)

Book

2017 ASHRAE Handbook—Fundamentals
Author: ASHRAE
Organization: ASHRAE
The 2017 ASHRAE Handbook—Fundamentals covers basic principles and data used in the HVAC and refrigeration industry. It covers basic principles such as thermodynamics, psychrometrics, and heat transfer, providing practical guidance on building envelope, indoor environmental quality, load...
Introduction to Environmental Quality Management
Author: Mark Bomberg and Tomasz Kisilewicz
This a basic text on heat, air flow, and moisture based on years of research, teaching, and writing on these issues. It includes chapters on the durability of materials, materials in environmental control, and hygrothermal insulations. The hardcover version is Methods of Building Physics by Bomberg...
Residential Windows – A Guide to New Technologies and Energy Performance (3rd Edition)
Author: John Carmody, Stephen Selkowitz, Dariush Arasteh, and Lisa Heschong
In its third edition, this book remains an excellent source on performance characteristics of windows, glazing materials, window assembly, design implications of energy-efficient windows, and considerations of window selection. It includes a short history of window developments and an overview of...
Water Management Guide
Author: Joseph Lstiburek
This relatively small guide addresses one of the most important issues in buildings—controlling rain and ground water. The prose is succinct and to the point. The graphics are outstanding. The guide is divided into five sections: Principles, Window Installation, Risk Factors (including an Average...

Website

Building Envelope Design Guide
Organization: National Institute of Building Sciences
The National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS), under guidance from the past Federal Envelope Advisory Committee, developed this comprehensive guide for exterior envelope design and construction for institutional/office buildings. The publication list for each topic raises the level of...

Videos

DaylightingThis video describes how to encourage daylighting design in buildings to save on energy costs associated with overhead lighting.
Source: Passive House Academy New Zealand
Passive House Academy New Zealand
Thermal Conductivity and Thermal ResistanceThis video describes how to calculate thermal conductivity and thermal resistance of building components.
Source: Passive House Academy New Zealand
Passive House Academy New Zealand
Window U-Value CalculationThis video describes how window U-value is calculated.

Handout

Source: Dr. Heather Dillon
Dr. Heather Dillon
Glazing Type HandoutThis handout can be altered to provide the basis for a homework problem.

Presentation

Source: Guardian Industries Corporation
Guardian Industries Corporation
Videos That Explain High Performance GlassThis series of videos explains everything from basic types of windows, to the physics associated with cold and warm weather window performance.

Proficiency Level 1: Remember

Source: Dr. Heather Dillon
Dr. Heather Dillon
Define Air LeakageDefine Air Leakage
Source: Dr. Heather Dillon
Dr. Heather Dillon
Define SHGCDefine SHGC
Source: Dr. Heather Dillon
Dr. Heather Dillon
National Fenestration Rating CouncilWhat is the National Fenestration Rating Council?
Source: U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficient Windows
U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficient Windows
Window Operation MethodsWhat is the most airtight window operation method? (a.) Double hung (b.) Casement (c.) Fixed (d.) Awning

Proficiency Level 2: Understand

Source: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Advantage of Inert Gas in WindowsOne of the advantages of a window assembly that uses an inert gas in the air gap is: (a)Inert gases are not explosive. (b)The inert gas acts as an insulator and reduces the heat transfer through the window. (c)These windows can use single pane...
Appropriate Use of Low-E CoatingsShould Low-E coatings be used in a hot climate area?
Source: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Characteristics of Gas FillsWhat are some characteristics of gas fills?
Improving Window PerformanceWhich of the following options would NOT improve the performance of a window?      (a) Increase airtightness of a window      (b) Increase the number of glass panes.  (c) Increase the thermal performance of the window frame.  (d) Increase the...
NFRC Label InformationList 3 window performance measures that appear on an NFRC label?
Source: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Solar Heat Gain CoefficientThe fraction of solar radiation admitted through a window is characterized by: (circle one) Visible Transmittance Solar heat gain coefficient Light-to-solar gain None of the above

Proficiency Level 3: Apply

Source: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
CoatingsWhich type of low-emission coating is characterized by a low solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC), and a low visible transmittance (VT)?
Source: Dr. Heather Dillon
Dr. Heather Dillon
Common Gas FillsWhat are the most common gases used between the two glass panes in double-pane glazing?
Source: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Low-E CoatingsWhat is low-E coating and how does it improve window performance?
Source: U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficient Windows
U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficient Windows
Window ComponentsMake a sketch showing a “double-pane” window and label key features. Include as much information about each window element as possible.

Proficiency Level 4: Analyze

Window Choice for ChicagoWhich one of the following NFRC-rated windows would you recommend for windows in Chicago? (a). U-0.35 SHGC-0.20 (b). U-0.27 SHGC-0.25 (c). U-0.35 SHGC-0.30 (d). U-0.40 SHGC-0.35
Window Choice for MiamiWhich one of the following NFRC-rated skylights would you recommend for skylights in Miami? (a). U-0.50 SHGC-0.35 (b). U-0.65 SHGC-0.25 (c). U-0.53 SHGC-0.30 (d). U-0.60 SHGC-0.25
Windows for Cold and Hot ClimatesA. Would a building in a cold climate benefit more from a window with a high U-value or a low U-value? B. Would a building in a hot climate benefit more from a window with a high SHGC or a low SHGC?

Proficiency Level 5: Evaluate

Window Design StrategiesWhat are energy efficient window design strategies for a building in cooling-dominated climate? (circle all that apply) (a). Increase window size on the north façade while maintaining the same overall building window ratio (b). Increase window size...
Window Design Strategies Heating ClimateWhat are the energy efficiency design strategies for a building in heating-dominated climate for energy efficiency? (circle all that apply) (a). Increase window size on the north façade while maintaining the same overall building window ratio (b)....