Intus Windows, a Worldwide Leader in Window Manufacturing, say there are a number of factors to consider when choosing window products for a passive home design

NEW YORK, NY, USA, August 5, 2014 /EINPresswire.com/ -- “When it comes to choosing the right windows for your passive home design, there are a lot of factors that need to be considered,” says Aurimas Sabulis, managing director of Intus Windows (http://intuswindows.com/), a worldwide leader in top-of-the-line high performance window products. “Whether you are designing a passive house or any type of energy efficient build, a window that is airtight and has a low U-Value is vital to creating a comfortable and energy efficient home.”

Sabulis says that an important factor is the SHGC (Solar Heat Gain Coefficient) for the specific climate area and the specific location of the window on the home. Passive solar buildings, he explains, are designed to let the sun’s solar heat into the building during the winter months but block out the suns solar heat during the hot summer months.

“In Climate Zones 4 and higher, a window with the proper SHGC rating, installed on the south facing elevation, will generate free solar heat from the sun during winter months,” says Sabulis. “When properly designed, a passive solar home is bright and sunny but also extremely energy efficient. Windows on the east, west and north sides of the building should incorporate a window with a low SHGC.”

Intus offers SHGC rated windows ranging from 0.25 through 0.62 to suit one’s specific climate, building codes, and goals.

According to Sabulis, choosing the correct amount of glazing on the south side involves a detailed calculation based on the building size, climate zone, and other factors. As a general rule of thumb, he says, the south facing windows should equal 8-12% of the total square footage of the home. For example, if a home has 3,000 square feet of living space, the south facing glazing should equal to around 240 square feet (8%) to 360 square feet (12%). Limiting the west, east and north glazing to less than 2% of the homes square footage prevents unwanted solar gains in the summer.

“Another important factor in passive solar design is interior thermal mass,” Sabulis says. “An exposed concrete floor or floor tile absorbs the sun’s solar gain and then releases it slowly during the nighttime hours. Interior thermal mass helps to regulate the homes temperature and helps prevent sudden and unwanted abrupt temperature swings. The exposed interior thermal mass helps moderate the temperate of the home.”
Windows with low U-Values have a better the thermal performance, he explains, but notes that a window’s Air Infiltration rating is important as well.

“Choosing the right window for your home or business requires careful planning, but the result is an energy efficient building,” Sabulis says. “Energy efficient windows like Intus uPVC triple pane windows, not only meet but also exceed stringent energy codes.”

Intus Windows (http://www.intuswindows.com/) is a pioneer in manufacturing and distributing super energy-efficient windows and doors in the United States. Driven by technology, innovation, and continuous progress Inus Windows energy-efficient windows, doors, and curtain walls lines will fit any commercial, residential or industrial application, and they are Passive House Certified and suitable. For the past 21 years the company has manufactured and installed more than 800,000 windows and doors all over the world, with main export markets in Scandinavia, Central and Eastern Europe. Today, with a manufacturing facility in Lithuania, Intus has entered into the super energy-efficient window market here in the United States. For more information, call 1-888-380-9940.

Ema Klimaite
Intus Windows
202-507-8439
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