Abstract
House designers are concerned with potential energy savings during the lifetime of the dwelling. The average seasonal heating energy savings due to solar gains in houses at a particular location depend on the wall insulation, the type and size of windows, their orientation and the seasonal mean temperature difference across the façade under consideration. A simple approach is proposed to determine whether it is beneficial, in terms of energy saving, to increase window areas, and to estimate potential savings at an early design stage. This enables an assessment of the cost effectiveness of any changes to be made. The method is suitable for both new design and refurbishment. No attempt has been made to provide guidance on potential summer overheating problems if windows are oversized.
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