Local Knowledge About Non-Solar Glazing

Windows that are not south facing are considered non-solar glazing. Windows on the north side of a house in almost every climate of the northern hemisphere lose significant heat energy and gain very little useful sunlight in the winter. East and west windows are likely to increase air conditioning needs unless heat gain is minimized with careful attention to shading. Of course, people want windows for reasons other than energy gain, so a good design will be a balance between efficiency and other benefits, such as views and bright living spaces. Some rules of thumb for non-solar glazing: triple-glazing (meaning three panes of glass) or low-e ("e" stands for emissivity) coating will reduce heat loss while allowing for light to enter; north facing windows should be small and have high insulation or R-value; east windows catch the morning sun and can cause potential overheating, therefore shading should be planned with care; west windows also have a high potential for overheating, tinted glass or low-e glass may be effective; and as many windows as possible should be kept operable for easy natural ventilation in summer.