BASC Search | Building America Solution Center

Window Attachments

Author(s)

U.S. Department of Energy

Organization(s)

DOE

Publication Date

January, 2018

DOE presentation describing a project to study window attachments.

Residential Windows and Window Coverings: A Detailed View of the Installed Base and User Behavior

Author(s)

Bickel Stephen,

Phan-Gruber Emily,

Christie Shannon

Organization(s)

D&R International,

D+R International,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Publication Date

September, 2013

DOE report characterizing the installed base of windows and window coverings, and how users operate window coverings in order to enable precise quantification of energy savings.

Window Attachments: Call to Action

Author(s)

Attachments Energy Rating Council

Organization(s)

AERC

Publication Date

July, 2023

Fact sheet providing information on window attachments and their potential for improving energy efficiency.

Seven categories of exterior window shading attachments, identified on the DOE Efficient Window Coverings website.

The DOE Efficient Window Coverings website identifies twelve categories of interior window shading attachments.

Publication Date

Tue, 07/25/2023 - 12:00

The Efficient Window Coverings website allows direct comparison of various window attachment types based on thermal, visual, functional, and installation and durability criteria.

Types of window attachments include exterior attachments such as storm windows, fixed awnings, dynamic awnings, roller shutters, roller shades, and solar screens, and interior attachments such as drapes, louvered blinds, roller shades, surface applied fil

Publication Date

Mon, 01/01/2018 - 12:00

The solar tube installed in the ceiling of this bathroom brings natural light into an interior room that doesn’t have window access.

Publication Date

Wed, 12/29/2021 - 12:00

The photovoltaic solar panels installed on the south face of this home perform double duty as window overhangs for summertime shading.

Publication Date

Thu, 06/22/2023 - 12:00

Permanent options for keeping sun off windows to minimize solar heat gain include permanent overhangs and awnings, frames, and louvers.

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2019 - 12:00

Interior window attachments such as these light-filtering roller shades can reduce heat gains while providing pleasant, diffuse natural light.

Publication Date

Tue, 07/25/2023 - 12:00

Removable options for keeping sun off windows to minimize solar heat gain include awning, retractable and swinging shutters, interior or exterior curtains.

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2019 - 12:00

Vertical side-shading, such as these side fins, can provide effective summertime shading for north-facing windows, but are generally not recommended for other orientations due to their marginal performance and restricted views

Publication Date

Thu, 06/22/2023 - 12:00

An interior shade that closes from the bottom up can work in conjunction with an exterior overhang to block lower-angle sunlight while still allowing view through the upper portion of the window that is shaded by the overhang.

Publication Date

Wed, 07/26/2023 - 12:00

View-preserving interior solar screens such as these help reduce glare and solar heat gain while maintaining view to the outside

Publication Date

Mon, 11/14/2022 - 12:00

Pleated blinds provide cooling savings in summer by blocking and reflecting sunlight, while allowing some diffuse daylight to pass through.

New Whole-House Solutions Case Study: Imagine Homes: Stillwater Ranch, San Antonio, TX

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Organization(s)

PNNL

Publication Date

April, 2012

Case study describing a new home builder that strives to address health, safety, and durability issues in a hot and humid climate.

Right - These interior solar screens help control glare and solar heat gain while maintaining view to the outside.

Climate Safe Housing - Strategies for Multifamily Building Resilience

Author(s)

Enterprise Community Partners

Organization(s)

ECP

Publication Date

July, 2023

Webpage providing information on how window shading can reduce heat gain in summer and heat loss in winter.

Evaluation of Cellular Shades in the PNNL Lab Homes

Author(s)

Peterson Joseph M,

Sullivan Greg P,

Cort Katherine A,

Merzouk Massine B,

Weber JM

Organization(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

PNNL

Publication Date

October, 2015

Report describing the methods and results of a field evaluation of the energy performance of cellular shade window coverings.

Evaluation of the Thermal and Moisture Performance of Insulating Shades

Author(s)

Cort Katherine A,

Pilet Tyler J,

Mullaly Stephen,

Bauer Eric

Organization(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

PNNL

Publication Date

September, 2022

DOE-sponsored report describing a study investigating condensation buildup on windows when using insulating shades.

DOE ZERH 2013 Case Study: e2 Homes Winter Park, Florida [2-page summary version]

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

U.S. Department of Energy

Organization(s)

PNNL,

DOE

Publication Date

January, 2013

Case study describing the first certified DOE Zero Energy Ready Home—the “Wilson Residence” in Winter Park, Florida.

High Performance Builder Spotlight: ReVISION Home, Las Vegas, Nevada

Author(s)

Theresa Gilbride

Organization(s)

PNNL

Publication Date

January, 2010

Case study describing a 1963 mid-century modern home in Las Vegas that got an energy-efficiency overhaul, improving performance from a HERS score of 123 to 44, or net-zero when the 4.8 kW of photovoltaic panels are added.

DOE ZERH HIA 2017 Case Study: Thrive Home Builders, Lowry Plan, Denver, CO

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

U.S. Department of Energy

Organization(s)

PNNL,

DOE

Publication Date

September, 2017

Case study describing a DOE Zero Energy Ready Home 2017 Housing Innovation Award winner that scored HERS 38 without PV and 4 with PV.

DOE ZERH HIA 2013 Case Study: e2 Homes, Winter Park, Florida

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

U.S. Department of Energy

Organization(s)

PNNL,

DOE

Publication Date

January, 2013

Case study describing a DOE Zero Energy Ready Home 2013 Housing Innovation Award Winner in Winter Park FL that scored HERS 57 without PV or HERS -7 with PV.

These retractable awnings provide shad to this outdoor living space and reduce heat gain and glare within the home.

Right - These retractable awnings provide shade to this outdoor living space and reduce heat gain and glare within the home.

Publication Date

Wed, 07/19/2023 - 12:00

Right – This model home for the Solar Decathlon competition incorporates vertical trellises and retractable exterior blinds to control solar heat gain.

Exterior shading devices such as these Bahama shutters can significantly increase the hours of safety provided by a home during an extreme heat event.

Publication Date

Tue, 07/18/2023 - 12:00

Evaluation of Interior Cellular Shades in a Residential Building

Author(s)

Bhandari Mahabir,

Kunwar Niraj,

Gehl Anthony,

Curcija Charlie

Organization(s)

Oak Ridge National Laboratory,

ORNL,

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,

LBNL

Publication Date

March, 2021

DOE-sponsored report describing a study investigating the energy savings potential of cellular shades in homes.

These folding louvered porch doors provide effective shade from low-angle east and west sunlight and can open for views; the photovoltaic panels overhead allow in filtered natural light

High Performance Builder Spotlight: Treasure Homes, Sacramento, CA

Author(s)

Gilbride Theresa L

Organization(s)

PNNL

Publication Date

October, 2009

Case study describing the 32 home development Fallen Leaf Project and how it's construction technique and materials gives owners as much as 50% savings on their utility costs.

High Performance Builder Spotlight: John Wesley Miller Companies, Tuscon, AZ

Author(s)

Gilbride Theresa L

Organization(s)

PNNL

Publication Date

October, 2009

Case study describing the development of one of the first true zero-energy homes built in the United States and the improvements made on it's design for subsequent projects.

How to Cut Your Heating & Electric Bill and Carbon Footprint to Zero, by Someone Who Has Done It

Author(s)

David Green

Organization(s)

Zero Carbon LLC,

EEBA

Publication Date

December, 2020

Webinar from Zero Carbon LLC explaining how to conserve energy and reduce a home's carbon footprint through use of the 'fab four' residential energy efficiency upgrades: heat pumps, insulation, triple-glazed windows, and solar panels.

How to Cut Your Heating & Electric Bill and Carbon Footprint to Zero, by Someone Who Has Done It

Author(s)

David Green

Organization(s)

Zero Carbon LLC,

EEBA

Publication Date

December, 2020

Webinar from David Green and EEBA explaning how to conserve energy and reduce a home's carbon footprint through use of the 'fab four' of heat pumps, insulation, triple-glazed windows, and solar panels. Free EEBA login required.

Evaluation of Exterior Shades at PNNL Lab Homes and Occupied Field Sites

Author(s)

Cort Katherine A,

Hunt Walter E

Organization(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

PNNL

Publication Date

October, 2020

DOE-sponsored report describing the experimental setup and results of field studies on using exterior fabric shading attachments to reduce solar heat gain, reduce glare, and improve comfort.

Evaluation of Cellular Shades in the PNNL Lab Homes

Author(s)

Sullivan Greg P,

Cort Katherine A,

Merzouk Massine B,

Metzger Cheryn E,

Petersen Joseph M

Organization(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

PNNL

Publication Date

November, 2016

DOE-sponsored report describing the experimental setup and results of field studies on using interior cellular shading attachments to reduce solar heat gain in summer and reduce heat loss in winter.

Testing the Performance and Dynamic Control of Energy-Efficient Cellular Shades in the PNNL Lab Homes

Author(s)

Cort Katherine A,

McIntosh Joshua A,

Sullivan Greg P,

Ashley Travis A,

Metzger Cheryn E,

Fernandez Nicholas

Organization(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

PNNL,

Efficiency Solutions

Publication Date

August, 2018

DOE-sponsored report describing the experimental design and results of testing the energy performance of Hunter Douglas double-cell cellular shades under various control schemes in the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory’s Lab Homes.

Existing Whole-House Solutions Case Study: Conway Street Apartments - Greenfield, Massachusetts

Author(s)

Steven Winter Associates

Organization(s)

CARB,

SWA

Publication Date

December, 2014

Case study describing a deep energy retrofit, turning an old school into 12 high-end apartments in Greenfield, MA.

DOE ZERH HIA 2014 Case Study: Southeast Volusia Habitat for Humanity, Edgewater, FL

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

U.S. Department of Energy

Organization(s)

PNNL,

DOE

Publication Date

February, 2014

Case study describing a DOE Zero Energy Ready Home 2014 Housing Innovation Award winner that scored HERS 49 without PV.

DOE ZERH HIA 2014 Case Study: Imery Group Proud Green Home, Serenbe, GA

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

U.S. Department of Energy

Organization(s)

PNNL,

DOE

Publication Date

April, 2014

Case study describing the first DOE Zero Energy Ready Home in Georgia that achieved a HERS score of 40 without PV and -10 with PV.

DOE ZERH HIA 2014 Case Study: One Sky Homes, Cottle Zero Net Energy Home, San Jose, CA

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

U.S. Department of Energy

Organization(s)

PNNL,

DOE

Publication Date

September, 2014

Case study describing a DOE Zero Energy Ready Home 2014 Housing Innovation Award winner that scored HERS 69 without PV and -1 with PV.

DOE ZERH HIA 2014 Case Study: M Street Homes, Smartlux on Greenpark Houston, TX

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

U.S. Department of Energy

Organization(s)

PNNL,

DOE

Publication Date

September, 2014

Case study describing a DOE Zero Energy Ready Home 2014 Housing Innovation Award winner that scored HERS 45 without PV and 32 with PV and is the first home in the world to use a tri-generation system to supply electricity, heating, and cooling on site.

New Whole-House Solutions Case Study: Lancaster County Career and Technology Center Green Home 3 - Mount Joy, Pennsylvania

Author(s)

Home Innovation Research Labs

Organization(s)

HIRL

Publication Date

December, 2014

Case study describing the Green Home 3 project, which achieved a 44% whole-house energy savings over the Building America New Construction B10 Benchmark, DOE Zero Energy Ready Home certification, and National Green Building Standard Gold-level certification.

DOE ZERH HIA 2013 Case Study: Preferred Builders, Old Greenwich, Connecticut

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

U.S. Department of Energy

Organization(s)

PNNL,

DOE

Publication Date

April, 2013

Case study describing a DOE Zero Energy Ready Home 2013 Housing Innovation Award Winner in Old Greenwich CT, that scored HERS 42 without PV and HERS 20 with PV.