Solar Windows

Adding a window on the south wall of your house can provide very useful winter heat gain.

 

Windows are very good solar collectors -- they are just as efficient as a commercial solar collector you might add on your roof, and can be less expensive and less complex to install.  No ducting or plumbing required.

 

This section gives plans for a retrofitable solar window design that is simple, and less expensive than installing a commercial window.   It uses very simple framing, and can be built for little more than the cost of the glass itself. 

These plans are excerpted from the book "Passive Solar Energy" by Bruce Anderson and Malcolm Wells.  The full book is available for free download here.

 

A couple additional notes:


From "Passive Solar Energy", B. Anderson, M. Wells

Solar Windows

These details were developed for a low-cost addition of direct gain south glazing in standard 2x4 stud wall construction. A section of the south wall is removed and new framing added as shown to prepare for the addition of standard-sized insulated glass units. These fixed units are installed using standard glazing techniques including setting blocks, glazing tape and weep holes for condensation. The rough framing is finished with trim pieces and glazing stops. Note that cutting into the framing of a stud wall house can be a major structural alteration to the house, and should only be undertaken after professional verification that the new structure is adequate and that existing floor and roof loads can be carried safely during and after the renovation project. (Construction details, New England SUEDE.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Created by Readiris, Copyright IRIS 2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Created by Readiris, Copyright IRIS 2005

 

 

Created by Readiris, Copyright IRIS 2005

 


 

Some additional thoughts:

Gary  05/11/06