Solar Heat Gain

[illhp]

How would one go about calculating the solar heat gain through a window? What specs of the window would be needed and what formulas would be used? Additionally, besides conductive heat loss and solar heat gain what other significant types of heat transfer can be calculated for windows?

 

[IRstuff]

There are commercial programs that do this type of calculation. These programs allow you to run through solar angle during the day, as a function of season, etc.

Not an easy thing to do by hand.

TTFN

 

[jrothEI]

illhp,
If you're still considering your heat gain question. You may find it helpful to check out ASHRAE HANDBOOK FUNDAMENTALS or HEATING, VENTILATING, AND AIR CONDITIONING by McQUISTON for fundamental analysis methods, or as IRStuff recommends you could use a program that would give you data based on time of day. If this isn't a problem that you might consider often, a text reference should prove adequate and cost effective.

JR

 

[hacksaw]

your windows have an effective R-rating that should be documented according to design class: single pane, double, argon filled, etc. you can make allowances for the solar gain based on the transmissibility of the window, for a nominal summar/winter condition.

ASHRAE is an excellent starting point. The calc. is hardly insurmountable, given that spreadsheet tools are avilable.

Modern Refrig and Air Conditioning, published by Goodheart and Wilcox is an excellent starting point and affordable. It covers equipment sizing and heat loads.