About this course
Windows are arguably the most important architectural element in a home, impacting the appearance, comfort, energy use, ventilation, budget, and overall enjoyment of our homes in a number of ways – some not so obvious.
The thoughtful selection and application of windows is crucial in meeting the challenging Passive House Space Heat Demand criteria in cold climates. This session will discuss the anatomy of a window, mechanisms that transfer heat through windows, and window design and application strategies. We will compare and contrast two window performance characterization systems, discuss how windows impact comfort, how they can be used to supplement a heating system - and possibly help avoid use of a heating distribution system – as well as assisting with ‘passive survivability’ when the power fails, illustrated with actual data.
This session is of general interest, but the focus will be on the details associated with the use of windows in Passive House designs.
By the end of the lecture you will:
- Understand the different heat transfer mechanisms associated with windows
- Learn about strategies used in window design and installation to reduce heat loss
- Understand differences between US and European window performance rating systems to avoid incorrectly interpreting window performance
- See how, and by how much, window selection and application can assist with passive survivability
- Understand the impact of shading, shading strategies, building orientation, etc. with respect to the Passive House Space Heat Demand criteria
Course outline
2 modules
1 - 2 hours to complete
56 minutes
of video lectures
Module 1 • 2 assignments
Video Lecture and Discussion
Module 1 • 2 assignments
Video Lecture and Discussion
In this module, you'll watch the video lecture and listen to a recording of a Q+A call in which Mike answers participant questions.
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Author
Mike Duclos
Retired
Mike Duclos is a principal and founder of The DEAP Energy Group, LLC, a consultancy providing a wide variety of Deep Energy Retrofit, Zero Net Energy and Passive House related consulting services. Mike was an energy consultant on the Transformations, Inc. Zero Energy Challenge entry, and has worked on a variety of Zero Net Energy, DER and Passive House projects,...
Frequently asked questions
Full FAQHow does this course work?
This is a free course. Enroll today and get access to all of the materials instantly. The lecture video and other materials are available any time.
How long do I have access to the materials?
For free courses there is no guarantee for how long the course materials will be available.
Is there a certificate of completion?
Certificates of completion are only provided to HeatSpring Membership subscribers. This course has not been approved by any credentialing organizations (NABCEP, AIA, USGBC etc) for Continuing Education Credits (CEUs). This course is for self education purposes only and completion does not indicate a level of professional expertise or credential.
Can I register multiple people?
Yes, this is a free course so you can share this page with other people from your group.