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Heating and Cooling: The Role of Windows From "Be Your Own Contractor" episode DBYC-108

The size, placement and number of windows in a home can have a significant impact on the heating and cooling system.

In this segment of DIY's Be Your Own Contractor, the do-it-yourselfers discuss the some special considerations and the role and impact that windows and doors have on the heating and cooling of the home.

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• All of the contractors stress the importance of detailed and careful planning in working out your heading and cooling system. Alan Sain went as far as producing detailed schematic diagrams long before the actual installation ever began. As with most other aspects of building a home, good planning with respect to heating and cooling systems may well save you considerable trouble and expense later on.

• In her installation, Jody Cukier Siegler discovered a pitfall inherent considering form over function. For a sophisticated look, Jody selected decorative stamped-aluminum vent covers (figure A) for some of her rooms. Though they look attractive, they don't provide the control of airflow -- and hence efficiency -- as that of standard grills (figure B).

  Figure B

  Figure A

  
  

The size, placement and numbers of windows and doors installed in a home can have a significant impact on the function of the heating and cooling system. Insulation, sunlight and drafts are all factors related to windows and doors that will effect the temperature inside the house.

• For her home in Los Angeles, California, two Jody Cukier Siegler's main concerns with respect to windows and doors were the regional climate and the architectural style of her home. Window design was an important element in maintaining architectural consistency throughout her home (figures C, D and E).

• The aesthetic decision to build numerous and large windows into the house made for a more challenging process when it came to selecting and installing an HVAC system. It was key to ensure that the installer took into consideration the amount of windows and wall space, in addition to the overall size of the house, when designing the ductwork and venting system and deciding upon the size and type of the cooling units.

  Figure C

  Figure D

  Figure E

  
  
• For his home in Hillside, Colorado (figure F), Andy Beasley devoted a great deal of thought to the choice and placement of windows. In terms of the styles of window, he researched what was available from a large number of manufacturers, and did cost comparisons.

  Andy's house is in a scenic locale, so the placement of windows took into consideration taking good advantage of the scenic views (figure G). Additionally, large and numerous windows were placed deliberately on the south side of the house (figure H) to collect as much radiant sunlight as possible to help passively warm the house during winters.

  Figure F

  Figure G

  Figure H

  
  

• Betty and John Spracklen also wanted to have large and numerous windows to bring a lot of light into their large home in Olmstead, Kentucky (figure I). For example, in their library, they wanted to ensure that natural light would come into the room from at least two directions, north and east.

  Betty and John shopped around among many manufacturers in their selection of windows and doors. They acknowledge that purchasing custom windows (figure J) is typically more expensive than going with standard types that subcontractors purhase in bulk and provide. According to Betty, that is the price you pay for getting exactly what you want.

  Figure I

  Figure J

  
  

  Figure K

• For his home in Williamsburg, Virginia, Michael Buchtel also went "above and beyond" when it came to doors and windows. For his basic heating and cooling system, Michael subcontracted the installation to a local contractor. Though he is an avid do-it-yourselfer, and personally handled many of the major aspects of his own house construction, Michael readily admits that the heating and air-conditioning system was something outside the scope of his expertise.

  Michael's wife insisted on plenty of light and an open, "airy" feel when it came to the design of the house. Large windows and glass doors helped provide that feel (figure K). In fact, Michael's building plan called for a window at least every 10 feet throughout the house (figure L).

RESOURCES :

Energy-Efficient Building: The Best of Fine Homebuilding
ISBN: 1561583405
From The Best of Fine Homebuilding book series.
The Taunton Press Inc.
Website: www.taunton.com

Save Energy, Save Money
ISBN: 0028642791
Authors: Alvin Ubell, George Merlis
Macmillan / Alpha Books
Website: www.macmillan.com

136 Best Ways to Save on Your Home Energy
ISBN: 0376012048
(January, 2002) Sunset Publishing Company (Division of Time Warner)
Website: www.sunset.com