Topic outline

  • Energy Efficient Windows - Performance and Selection

    Credits: 6 PDH

    PDH Course Description:

    Residential buildings account for about 21% of total energy consumption in the United States, and windows alone are responsible for 25%–30% of residential heating and cooling energy use. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that upgrading the nation’s current window stock to meet DOE’s long-term performance goals could save more than 2 quadrillion Btu. Clearly, expanding the use of energy-efficient windows should be of interest to engineers and others interested in reducing energy consumption. This course presents guidelines to help engineers, builders, homeowners, and designers select energy-efficient windows in new and existing residential construction in all U.S. climate zones. It includes information about window products, attributes, and performance. It provides cost/benefit information about window energy-savings and about non-energy benefits such as thermal comfort and reduced heating, ventilation, and air conditioning demands. The guidelines also provide information about the energy impacts of design decisions such as window orientation, total glazing area, shading conditions, and about proper window installation.

    Topics:

    • Understanding measures of efficiency such as U-Factor and SHGC (solar heat gain coefficient)
    • Learning about the concepts of visible transmittance, air leakage, and condensation resistance
    • Understanding glazing types
    • Learning about the effects of using low-conductance spacers and gas fills
    • Learning about frame types
    • Understanding the relation of energy efficient windows to energy codes
    • Learning about energy and cost savings for new and replacement windows for various climate zones
    • Becoming familiar with life cycle cost analysis
    • Learning about effects of orientation, window area, and shading
    • Understanding proper installation techniques

    To take this course:

    1.) Enroll in Course:
    Click below to enroll:
    (must be logged into your user account)


    2.) Study: Once enrolled, click below to begin the course:

    Download the Study Guide

    3.) Test: Once you've thoroughly read the course materials, please click below to take the final examination.

    Take the final exam

    4.) Certificate: A passing grade of 70% or higher on the exam, is required to receive the certificate of completion for this PDH course.
         NOTE: After the exam is completed, you will need to return to this page, in order to print (download) the certificate of completion.

    Print the Certificate of Completion


    Intended Audience: mechanical, civil, energy, environmental, construction,and industrial engineers. However, this course could appeal to engineers of other disciplines as well.
    Publication Source: US Dept. of Energy

    Mark Rossow PhD, PE (retired)
    • Topic 1