Energy Saving Technologies

Heat insulation/replacement of windows in apartments and staircases

Similar to non-transparent parts of building envelope (walls, roof, floor), windows are one of main sources of heat losses in the building – about 30%. Installation of energy efficient windows helps save heat and decrease heat losses, and have better sound insulation. Additional thermal insulation of windows or installation of modern multiple glass panes will help increase the temperature in premises by 4-50C.

Thermal features of windows are also described by heat transfer resistance (R) that is valued in m2·K/watt. The higher heat transfer resistance, the better heat insulating features of a window. According to State Building Norms B.2.6-31 “Thermal insulation of buildings” k.2006, these coefficients are fixed per climate zones in Ukraine. 

See also:
Selecting windows for energy efficiency
Energy efficient windows
About PVC windows

It is not recommended to use metal parts which contact with both inside and outside air because it increases heat losses through the window. It is also worth mentioning that the company which installs windows in your building must properly seal window joints with walls and windowsill to prevent heat “leaking” from these joints. As a rule, joints are filled out by special foam.

A building looses heat through windows in winter. In summer solar radiation penetrates in the building through windows and temperature in premises increases. To prevent excess solar radiation one may install glass panes with special covering that reflects sun rays. But in this case it is worth remembering that such covering will prevent solar energy coming through windows in winter. Therefore such windows shall not be installed in regions with cold climate.

Modern windows are well sealed and decrease window-penetrability of a building. On one hand, it is good for decreasing heat losses and improving comfort, but, on the other hand, with bad or no ventilation in the building, it may worsen the quality of air and result in lack of fresh air in premises.

See also:

Inlet window ventilation

For different buildings the cost and effects of installation of energy efficient windows differs depending on glazing standards and size, materials and glass panes themselves. According to Ukraine’s state building standards B.2.6-31 “Thermal insulation of buildings” k.2006, glass panes shall have heat transfer resistance of 0,5 m2·K/watt for climate zone 1 (Rivne, Zhytomyr, Ternopil, Khmelnytsky, Vinnytsia, Kyiv, Chernigiv, Sumy, Cherkassy, Poltava, Kharkiv, Kirovograd, Luganks, Donetsk Oblasts). To have this heat transfer resistance a glass pane shall have energy efficient covering or be filled with inert gas.

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