Novel R7 Fixed Windows & R9 Daylight Transoms for Net Zero Energy Buildings

M. Mark Isaacs, Mahabir Bhandari, Jeff Burger

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

An Advanced Building Construction technique take a whole systems view integrating high performance windows and the walls around them to yield first cost savings through efficiencies of materials and labor while doubling overall energy performance. Multi-pane acrylic fixed windows up to R7 (.85 W/m2/°C) and R9 (.62 W/m2/°C) daylight transoms have been tested to national standards. Integrating these windows with 24” on-center (610 mm) framing results in the elimination of thermal-bridging framing to improve the thermal resistance of the wall around the window. The approach introduces the idea of the architectural bay, composed of one or more windows and the wall around it, as the ‘Finite Element’ of the building envelope: getting the bay ‘right’ from a thermal & solar standpoint suggests a path to realizing affordable Near and Net Zero Energy buildings. The windows are novel in their simplicity, which allows assembly from pre-cut parts by makers from disadvantaged backgrounds paid Living Wages in Makers Workshops (MIT). A novel strategic partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of the Gulf Coast starts older teen and young adult makers assembling small sample windows essential to introducing a new window technology to architects, engineers, and builders, and then graduating to making full-size windows. These ‘local’ production hubs can be replicated in other locations to serve the nation, eliminating an average of 1000 miles of long-haul truck delivery transportation for every building built, yielding an innovative model for low carbon footprint production of building components. UV testing of protective films and glazing layers, preliminary testing of enhanced structural capabilities, and first thermal tests on windows containing water as a light-tranmitting thermal mass diaphragm, are also reported.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationThermal Performance of the Exterior Envelopes of Whole Buildings XV International Conference
PublisherAmerican Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers
Pages676-684
Number of pages9
ISBN (Electronic)9781955516280
StatePublished - 2022
Event15th International Conference on Thermal Performance of the Exterior Envelopes of Whole Buildings 2022 - Clearwater Beach, United States
Duration: Dec 5 2022Dec 8 2022

Publication series

NameThermal Performance of the Exterior Envelopes of Whole Buildings
ISSN (Electronic)2166-8469

Conference

Conference15th International Conference on Thermal Performance of the Exterior Envelopes of Whole Buildings 2022
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityClearwater Beach
Period12/5/2212/8/22

Funding

The author gives special thanks to co-author Mahabir Bhandari, who has encouraged this and continuing investigations of this whole building envelope approach. Dr. Niraj Kunwar, Research Associate at Oak Ridge National Labs, assisted to add SI unit axes to the waterwindow graphs. Thanks also go to the USDA Small Business Innovation Research, the DOE V-Quad Regional Accelerator, InnovateMS’s SBIR Phase 0, and the Mississippi Seed Fund programs for their support of this R&D. Questions, comments, & requests for sample windows are welcome to Mark Isaacs at [email protected].

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