Spotlight Article:
Mind the Gap: Summary of Window Residential Retrofit Solutions
Improving the insulation, solar heat gain, and infiltration characteristics of windows can significantly improve overall thermal performance by reducing heat transfer through the window and by decreasing air leakage into and out of a home. ...
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Creating Windows of Energy-Saving Opportunity
Renovating historic homes is a tricky and sometimes onerous task. The desire to retain the historic character of the building, and in some cases the actual historic material, competes with the desire to improve energy performance. [continue reading]
Getting the Lead Out of Windows
Flaking paint and paint dust from old windows is a potential source of lead hazard. To eliminate the hazard of lead paint you can either remove the paint or remove the window. [continue reading]
New Window Ratings to Indicate Seasonal Performance
What's the best way to inform window buyers about a product's energy characteristics? As with appliance energy labels, there is considerable debate over how to give people an accurate and useful representation of the product without overwhelming them with confusing numbers (see "New Appliance Labels Emphasize Energy Use," HE Jan/Feb '96, p. 7). [continue reading]
Energy-Efficient Window Retrofits: Install with Care
Retrofitting a house with high- performance windows can produce significant energy savings and improved comfort. However, when the right window is installed incorrectly--or worse yet, the wrong window is installed incorrectly--energy savings will be few, structure and furnishings may be damaged, and the occupants' safety may be jeopardized. [continue reading]
Selecting Windows for Energy Efficiency
An understanding of some basic energy concepts is essential to choosing appropriate windows and skylights. [continue reading]
PRISM Does Windows
A new and improved version of the most widely used computer software for analyzing retrofit energy savings from utility billing data is now available. [continue reading]
Don't Throw that Window Out the Window!
There are many ways to retrofit a window. Most strategies involve replacing the glass, frame, and sash with double-paned low-E glass, and a new wood or vinyl frame and sash. [continue reading]
"Superwindow" Retrofits Show Significant Energy Savings
Windows account for a fairly large percentage of the heat loss of houses. Even in new homes built to stringent energy code, windows still account for about 25% of the overall conductive heat loss. [continue reading]
Building Performance Journal Editors
Our Blog Has Moved
Thanks for your interest in contributing a blog to the Building Performance Journal (formerly Home Energy magazine). We’re ...
Jim Gunshinan
Is Energy Efficiency an American Value?
Energy efficiency is good for the economy, good for families, good for workers, and good for the environment.
