Abstract
The selection of inappropriate combinations of wall and window designs by the 'passive solar' designer may lead to a seasonal auxiliary energy penalty instead of the expected advantage. When window areas are increased beyond those necessary for adequate daylight and view out there is a greater risk of overheating and increasing auxiliary energy use. Computer performance assessments are usually based on a fixed operational scenario and do not take account of the different operational regimes which may apply over the lifetime of a house. It is necessary to use average seasonal values. A simple method is proposed whereby a designer may check the average efficacy of different combinations of window and wall designs for different orientations and so reduce the risk of incurring an energy penalty.
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