B.

6 Passive House windows

E-B.6 1 10/09
 Passive House Design | Building Envelope | Window

Content: Passive House windows

1. Comfort requirements for the window of the future

2. Glazing suitable for Passive Houses 1 TU
3. Window frames
4. Design principles for Passive House windows (optional)
5. Certificate „Thermal-Bridge-Free connection“ 1 TU
6. Installation-Psi-value
7. Front doors for Passive Houses
8. Evolution of the Passive House window
9. Skylights in Passive Houses 1 TU
10.PHPP-data entry in the ‘Windows’ worksheet 1 TU
11.PHPP-data entry in the ‘Shading’ worksheet
12.PHPP-data entry for summer comfort assessment 2 TU
13.Space heating and heating load in detail 1 TU
14.Questions, answers, discussion 1 TU

E-B.6 2 10/09
 Passive House Design | Building Envelope | Window

Windows have so far been “low-interest product”.

...or rather a Passive House window

as a comfort-component and savings box!

...or rather „optimised“ radiators!?!

E-B.6 3 10/09 Source: PHI Author: PHI/F. Freundorfer

 Passive House Design | Building Envelope | Window

The interior surface criterion for windows

The human comfort is significantly influenced by differences between surface
temperatures.
Design temperature for peak heating load

Standard window, Uw=1.6 W/(m²K)

Radiant temperature difference: 5.5K

Radiant Radiant
temperature temperature
left hand space: right hand space:
15°C 20.5°C

The radiant temperature asymmetry of 5.5 K is far too high.

A compensating heating surface near the window is required.
E-B.6 4 10/09 Source: PHI /Sariri Author:PHI/ F. Freundorfer
 Passive House Design | Building Envelope | Window

The interior surface criterion for windows

In a Passive House the time and location of the heat supply are arbitrary.

Passive House window, Uw=0.8 W/(m²K)

Radiation temperature difference < 3K

Radiant
Radiant
temperature
temperature
left hand space:
right hand space:
18°C
20.5°C

With Passive House windows the demanding requirements of Fanger‘s equation

on which the international standards for thermal comfort [ISO 7730] and
[ASHRAE] are based, are met without a radiator placed under the window.
E-B.6 5 10/09 Source: PHI / Sariri Author: PHI/F. Freundorfer
 Passive House Design | Building Envelope | Window

Temperature stratification: Another comfort criterion

Temperature difference between floor (0.1 m) and at the height of the head of a
seated person (1.1 m), measured at 50 cm distance from the window.

Temperature stratification in a
Conventiona
l window
room
U = 1.6
w
W/(m²K) Room
(installed)
air temp.
°C

Cold-air descent (from

window)

Source: PHI

Another comfort criterion: This temperature difference must be smaller than 2 K

– else there is a risk of getting “cold feet“.
E-B.6 6 10/09 Source: PHI Author: PHI/F. Freundorfer
 Passive House Design | Building Envelope | Window

Temperature stratification: Another comfort criterion

Temperature difference between floor (0.1 m) and at the height of the head of a
seated person (1.1 m), measured at 50 cm distance from the window.

Temperature stratification in a
room
Conventional window: U (installed) = 1.6
w Room
W/(m²K) air temp.
Difference 1.1m to 0.1m: 3K °C

c a l
i t i
cr
Height
1.1m

Height
0.1m

Another comfort criterion: This temperature difference must be smaller than 2 K

– else there is a risk of getting “cold feet“.
E-B.6 7 10/09 Source: PHI Author:PHI/ F. Freundorfer
 Passive House Design | Building Envelope | Window

Temperature stratification: Another comfort criterion

Temperature difference between floor (0.1 m) and at the height of the head of a
seated person (1.1 m), measured at 50 cm distance from the window.

Temperature stratification in a
Passive House
room
U (installed)
w = 0.85
window W/(m²K) Room
air temp.
°C

Another comfort criterion: This temperature difference must be smaller than 2 K

– else there is a risk of getting “cold feet“.
E-B.6 8 10/09 Source: PHI Author: PHI/F. Freundorfer
 Passive House Design | Building Envelope | Window

Temperature stratification: Another comfort criterion

Temperature difference between floor (0.1 m) and at the height of the head of a
seated person (1.1 m), measured at 50 cm distance from the window.

Temperature stratification in a
Passive House room
U (installed)w= 0.85
W/(m²K) Room
window
Differential 1.1 m to 0.1 m : 1.6 K
air temp.
°C

le
b
r ta
Height 1.1m
f o
o m
Height 0.1m C
...because there is no cold-air
descent

In case this temperature difference is smaller than 2 K – a comfortable

environment is assured – no risk of getting „cold feet“.

E-B.6 9 10/09 Source: PHI Author:PHI/ F. Freundorfer

 Passive House Design | Building Envelope | Window

Passive House living room thermography

17.8

19.1 22
air
21.4 21.6

21.2
operative

E-B.6 15 10/09 Source: Helmut Krapmeier Author: F. Freundorfer

 Passive House Design | Building Envelope | Window

Uw-value below 0.85 W/(m²K) for comfort reasons

As to the comfort parameters radiant temperature

asymmetry and temperature stratification in the
Central-European climate, comfortable thermal
conditions are assured all over the living space as
long as the U-value of the window does not
exceed 0.85 W/(m²K).

 High-quality windows are required so that, even without radiators, the

thermal comfort near a window is considered as ‚excellent‘.
 As a side-effect these windows themselves becomes radiators for the
room.

Wolfgang Feist, December 1998

E-B.6 16 10/09 Source: PHI Wolfgang Feist Author: F. Freundorfer/PHI

 Passive House Design | Building Envelope | Window

Evolution of glazing performance

[W/(m²K)]
1 2 3 4 5 6 surfaces
1.Ug=3.0

2.Ug=2.3

3.Ug=2.2

4.Ug=1.3 to 0.9

5.Ug=0.8 to 0.5

Future: Multi-foil or vacuum glazing?

Quality assurance, quick test

E-B.6 17 10/09 Source: F. Freundorfer Author: F. Freundorfer
 Passive House Design | Building Envelope | Window

Evolution of glazing performance

2-Double,
Wärme- 3-Wärme- Future:
Zukunft:
Triple,
Verglasung
glazing 1-Scheibe
Single 2-Isolier
Double Vakuum oder
vacuum/
Schutz
low-e schutz
low-e Multifolie
multi-foil
Ugg-Wert
U -value 5,60 2,80 1,20 0,50 0,35
(W/(m²K))

Ob.-Temp.
surf. temp -1,8 °C 9,1 °C 15,3 °C 18,1 °C 18,6 °C

g-value
g-Wert 0,92 0,80 0,62 0,52 0,45
500
kWh/m²
energy balancekWh/m²

losses
400 passive solar
heat gains
Jahres-Energiebilanz

300
net-losses
200
net-gains!
100
Annual

-100

E-B.6 18 10/09 Source: PHI Author: PHI/F. Freundorfer

 Passive House Design | Building Envelope | Window

Two criteria for the glazing

 Comfort criterion for the glazing:

Ug  0.80 W/(m²K)
(today 0.60 W/(m²K) is common)

 Energy criterion for the glazing:

Ug – S · g < 0 Foto: H. Lübbe

(S=1.6 W/(m²K) for Central Europe)

The best available value today is Ug = 0.51 W/(m²K) (EN 673)

and g = 52% (EN 410).
Energy criterion 0.51 - (1.6x0.52) = -0.33 < 0
This makes it possible to achieve a positive solar gain on the south facing
facade, even in the deepest winter – at least in all Central European climates.

E-B.6 19 10/09 Source: PHI /F. Freundorfer/IG Passive House Germany Author: F. Freundorfer
 Passive House Design | Building Envelope | Window

For Ug < 1.0 W/(m²K) condensation on the outside

E-B.6 20 10/09 Source: Helmut Krapmeier Author: F. Freundorfer

 Passive House Design | Building Envelope | Window

Uw-value for windows

Ug*A glass+Uf*A frame+spacer *Lglass + installed* Linstalled

Uw
= 
installed

A window

 
 Linear thermal transmittance or linear thermal bridge [W/(mK)]

 Is not a material specific parameter but rather depends on the type of

installation of the window.  

E-B.6 21 10/09 Source: F. Freundorfer /PHI Author: F. Freundorfer

 Passive House Design | Building Envelope | Window

Definition of the Uw-value relevant dimensions

ww

A window = ww x hw

A glass = wg x hg

hg hw A
frame = A window – A glass

L glass = 2 wg+ 2 hg

L installation= 2 ww+ 2 hw

wg

E-B.6 22 10/09 Source: F. Freundorfer Author: F. Freundorfer

 Passive House Design | Building Envelope | Window

Calculate the following Uw-values approx. 10 minutes

 Exercise 1
Given: window size 1.23m x 1.48 m, inst = 0.15 W/(mK)
Ug = 0.6 W/(m²K), frame IV68 Uf = 1.6 W/(m²K), aluminium spacer spacer =
0.08 W/(mK), frame width top and side 117 mm, frame width bottom
134 mm

Total: Uw

 Exercise 2
Given: 2.) window size 1.23m x 1.48 m
Ug= 0.60 W/(m²K), Window PH Freundorfer
(further parameters from PHI certificate)

Total: Uw installed

E-B.6 23 10/09 Source: F. Freundorfer Author: F. Freundorfer

 Passive House Design | Building Envelope | Window

Data from www.passiv.de certificates ‚W&B Systeme 10 minutes

Data sheet: Thermal bridge-free connection

Reveal Parapet
Frame values Uf [W/(m²K)] 0.95 1.05
Elevation width [mm] 122 115

Frame values V
Glass edge syst.:Swisspacer Ψspacer[W/(mK)] 0.028 0.028
Covering of glazing edge d [mm] 18 18

Installation in timber construction Ψinstall[W/(m²K)] -0.0076 -0.0028

E-B.6 24 10/09 Source: PHI Author:PHI/ F. Freundorfer
 Passive House Design | Building Envelope | Window

Light transmission and g-value

Indirect heat
dissipation
after
absorption
in pane

The total solar transmittance or g-value

for glazing is defined as the sum of the
energy from direct sunlight and
secondary heat dissipation, transferred
from the outside to the inside.
Reflection
to the
outside
Direct The light transmission level of glazing is
radiation
absorption
defined as the percentage of solar
on the radiation (within the visible wavelength
surfaces in range, 380 – 780 nm) that passes
the room through the glazing.

E-B.6 26 10/09 Source: PHI Author: F. Freundorfer

 Passive House Design | Building Envelope | Window

The thermal bridge at the glass edge, in theory...

Example building
228 m² I 12.5 m² I 40 m²

Wall
Wand Connection
Anschluß Frame
Rahmen glass
Glasrand Glazing
Glas
edge

E-B.6 27 10/09 Source: Harald Krause Author: F. Freundorfer

 Passive House Design | Building Envelope | Window

... and in practise

3.7 °C at –15 °C
outside temperature

For a living room with 30m², 0.25 l of

condensate are produced easily.

E-B.6 28 10/09 Source: F. Freundorfer Author: F. Freundorfer

 Passive House Design | Building Envelope | Window

Comparison of conventional solutions

Standard- Stainless- Spacer

aluminium- steel- „Thermix“
spacer spacer

9,3 °C 11.2 °C 12.5 °C

Ψg = 0.076 W/(mK) Ψg = 0.054 W/(mK) Ψg = 0.039 W/(mK)

Uw = 0.89 W/(m²K) Uw = 0.84 W/(m²K) Uw = 0.80 W/(m²K)

Calculation of the window U-value with Ug = 0.70 W/(m²K),
Uf,bottom = 0.73 W/(m²K) and Uf,top = 0.70 W/(m²K)
E-B.6 29 10/09 Source: PHI Berthold Kaufmann Autor:PHI/ F. Freundorfer
 Passive House Design | Building Envelope | Window

New products for the glass edge

„Thermix“ „Tri Seal“ „Duralite“ by

by Ensinger by Edgetech Tremco illbruck

12,5 °C 13,3 °C 13,6 °C

Ψg = 0.039 W/(mK) Ψg = 0.030 W/(mK) Ψg = 0.027 W/(mK)

Uw = 0.80 W/(m²K) Uw = 0.78 W/(m²K) Uw = 0.77 W/(m²K)

Calculation of the window U-value with Ug = 0.70 W/(m²K),

Uf,bottom = 0.73 W/(m²K) and Uf,top = 0.70 W/(m²K)
E-B.6 30 10/09 Source: PHI Berthold Kaufmann Author: PHI/F. Freundorfer
 Passive House Design | Building Envelope | Window

A typical Passive House window

Additional insulation layer in the fixed frame and the sash

3 layer model: insulation is not a load-bearing element

Uf =0.72 W/(m²K) with a Ug= 0.60 W/(m²K) Uw= 0.72 W/(m²K)

Suitable for Passive Houses, according to PHI

E-B.6 42 10/09 Source: F. Freundorfer Author: F. Freundorfer

 Passive House Design | Building Envelope | Window

The installation is vital

Erecommended
mpfohlener Einbau W/(mK)
Ψinstall = 0.005 = 0,005 W/(mK)
Einstallation
inbau Uw, eff W/(m²K)
Uw,eff = 0.78 = 0,78 W/(mK)

E-B.6 47 10/09 Source: PHI / Feist Author:PHI/ F. Freundorfer

 Passive House Design | Building Envelope | Window

The installation is vital

E xtremungünstiger
extremly bad Ψ install Einbau
= 0.15 = 0,15 W/(mK)
W/(mK)
E inbau
installation U w,eff Uw, effW/(m²K)
= 1.19 = 1,19 W/(mK)

E-B.6 48 10/09 Source: PHI /Feist Author: PHI/F. Freundorfer

 Passive House Design | Building Envelope | Window

Everything depends on the installation...

EExtremly
xtremungünstiger
bad Ψ Einbau
= 0.15 = 0,15 W/(mK)
W/(mK)
EInstallation
inbau
install

U w,eff Uw, eff W/(m²K)

= 1.19 = 1,19 W/(mK)

193%
- heat losses due
to installation gap
29
kWh/ - more shading
(m²a)
15 - reduced
kWh/ airtightness
(m²a)

E-B.6 49 10/09 Source: PHI/ F. Freundorfer Author: F. Freundorfer

 Passive House Design | Building Envelope | Window

Example: Window installation on square timber

Frame in the insulation level

before the brickwork

Punctiform attachment with

metal brackets

Adhesive tape for sealing

Load transfer to the

square-shaped timber

Foto: PHD

E-B.6 50 10/09 Source: PHD Author: PHD

 Passive House Design | Building Envelope | Window

Optimised installation: A result of integrated planning

installation = -0.08
W/(mK)

E-B.6 51 10/09 Source: F. Freundorfer Author: F. Freundorfer

 Passive House Design | Building Envelope | Window

Optimised installation: From practice to practice

installation = 0.001
W/(mK)

installation = 0.014
W/(mK)

Sealed with circumferential

round butyl cord

E-B.6 52 10/09 Source: F. Freundorfer Author: F. Freundorfer

 Passive House Design | Building Envelope | Window

Given wall, window with a wider frame

E-B.6 53 10/09 Source: F. Freundorfer Author: F. Freundorfer

 Passive House Design | Building Envelope | Window

Sealing with round butyl cord

Simplest screw
connection

E-B.6 54 10/09 Source: F. Freundorfer Author: F. Freundorfer

 Passive House Design | Building Envelope | Window

Wood-aluminium windows and their connection

Installed = 0.06 W/(mK)

E-B.6 60 10/09 Source: F. Freundorfer Author: F. Freundorfer

 Passive House Design | Building Envelope | Window

Tomorrow’s wood-aluminium window looks different

installation = 0.01 W/(mK)

E-B.61 6 10/09 Source: F. Freundorfer Author: F. Freundorfer

 Passive House Design | Building Envelope | Window

Exercise: Airtight installation of windows 60 minutes

An airtight layer
encloses the
entire heated
volume

E-B.6 62 10/09 Source: PHI/ F. Freundorfer Author: F. Freundorfer

 Passive House Design | Building Envelope | Window
Step-by-step refurbishment:
New windows before facade renovation

...like the ”flower-window“

of the 60s

...but without thermal bridges

E-B.6 63 10/09 Source: PHI Author: F. Freundorfer
 Passive House Design | Building Envelope | Window
Step-by-step refurbishment – without changing
windows

Intermediate
step
”…until the
windows are
worn out. “

Final situation

E-B.6 64 10/09 Source: F. Freundorfer Author: F. Freundorfer

 Passive House Design | Building Envelope | Window

Front doors: insulated and airtight

Thermal requirements identical to
windows

Thermally optimised threshold

Additional climate test:

- Rigidity
- Airtightness at connections
Q(100 Pa)  2.25 m³/hm

Stability under constant strain

UD,installed  0.80 W(m²K)

Simple operation

E-B.6 65 10/09 Source: F. Freundorfer Author: F. Freundorfer

 Passive House Design | Building Envelope | Window

Front door eza!, Kempten

E-B.6 66 10/09 Source: F. Freundorfer Author: F. Freundorfer

 Passive House Design | Building Envelope | Window

Passive House window trends

 More economic
 Certified window connection
 The “best” window is only applicable to a specific building. The Passive
House is more than just the sum of its individual components.
 They have to become prettier, the windows.
 The KISS-principle (keep it simple and stupid) should be applied when
developing new products.

p ly
Sim
too ted?
Einfach
li ca
m p
co

E-B.6 67 10/09 Source: Oliver Gebert Author: F. Freundorfer

 Passive House Design | Building Envelope | Window

Is this the Passive House window of the future?

 Deep, narrow frames

 Sash entirely covered with insulation
 Glass-only characteristic with no
visible frame
 Cheaper than conventional windows

E-B.6 68 10/09 Source: F. Freundorfer Author: F. Freundorfer

 Passive House Design | Building Envelope | Window

Summary of results

Space heat
demand [kWh/m²a]

SHD SHD

Uf=0.72

14.2 14.6

Uf=0.97

14.4 14.8

Uf=0.85

11.5 12.2

E-B.6 69 10/09 Source: F. Freundorfer Author: F. Freundorfer

 Passive House Design | Building Envelope | Window

Summary of results

Space heat
demand [kWh/m²a]

SHD Qsolar QT window SHD Qsolar QT window

Uf=0.72
14.2 14.6
3749 3170 3693 3289
Uf=0.97

14.4 14.8
4034 3452 3885 3547

Uf=0.85

11.5 12.2
4171 3066 4010 3166
E-B.6 70 10/09 Source: F. Freundorfer Author: F. Freundorfer
 Passive House Design | Building Envelope | Window

Summary of results
Cost in Euro/m²

costs SHD Qsolar SHD Qsolar

Uf=0.72
14.2 14.6
400 3749 3693
Uf=0.97

14.4 14.8
290 4034 3885

Uf=0.85

11.5 12.2
<250 4171 4010
E-B.6 71 10/09 Source: F. Freundorfer Author: F. Freundorfer
 Passive House Design | Building Envelope | Window

Skylights and energy efficiency

”I don’t dare implement a skylight

in a Passive House.“

”With an appropriate floor plan you don’t need one.“

E-B.6 72 10/09 Source: Martin Endhardt Author: F. Freundorfer

 Passive House Design | Building Envelope | Window

Skylights and energy efficiency

E-B.6 73 10/09 Source: Holzbau Steger Author: F. Freundorfer

 Passive House Design | Building Envelope | Window

Skylights and energy efficiency

Slightly ventilated (from outside)

Separation between water-tight layer and insulation

E-B.6 74 10/09 Source: PHD Author: F. Freundorfer

 Passive House Design | Building Envelope | Window

Skylights and energy efficiency

Slightly ventilated (from outside)

Separation between water-tight layer and insulation

E-B.6 75 10/09 Source: PHD Author: F. Freundorfer

 Passive House Design | Building Envelope | Window

Passive House energy balance (PHPP) (2)

Transmission
Ventilation heat losses

Window Fraction of heat losses

Solar
through windows is
gains significant
Roof Uw  0.8 W/m²

Opaque components
Internal
gains U  0.15 W/m²
Transmission
External
wall

Heating
Cellar
ceiling
Heat gains Heat losses Loss Area
proportions proportions

E-B.6 77 10/09 Source: PHI Author: BK

 Passive House Design | Building Envelope | Window

Sources:
W. Feist: Gestaltungsgrundlagen Passivhäuser. Darmstadt, 2001

Arbeitskreis kostengünstige Passivhäuser 13: Energiebilanzen mit dem Passivhaus Projektierungs

Paket . Passivhaus Institut, Darmstadt 1998

Arbeitskreis kostengünstige Passivhäuser 14: Passivhaus-Fenster . Passivhaus Institut, Darmstadt

1998

Passivhaus Institut: Tagungsband zur 4. Passivhaustagung in Kassel. PHI, Darmstadt, 2000

Arbeitskreis kostengünstige Passivhäuser 15: Passivhaus Sommerfall. Passivhaus Institut,

Darmstadt 1999/4. Auflage 2009

Arbeitskreis kostengünstige Passivhäuser 14: Altbaumodernisieurng und –sanierung mit

Passivhauskomponenten. Passivhaus Institut, Darmstadt 2003

Arbeitskreis kostengünstige Passivhäuser 25: Temperaturdifferenzierung in der Wohnung.

Passivhaus Institut, Darmstadt 2004

Arbeitskreis kostengünstige Passivhäuser 37: Optimierungsstrategien für Fensterbauart und

Solarapertur. Passivhaus Institut, Darmstadt 2008

Bisanz, C: Heizlastauslegung im Niedrigenergie- und Passivhaus. Fachinformation PHI 1999/2,

Passivhaus Institut, Darmstadt 1999

Pfluger, R., J. Schnieders, B. Kaufmann, W. Feist: HIWIN – Hochwärmedämmende Fenstersysteme:

Untersuchung und Optimierung im eingebauten Zustand. Passivhaus Institut, Darmstadt 2003.
www.passiv.de

E-B.6 136 10/09

 Passive House Design | Building Envelope | Window

Authors

Franz Freundorfer, Dipl. Ing. (FH)

CEO Passivhauskreis Rosenheim Traunstein e.V.
R+D 1995-2008 Market introduction of timber windows
Course instructor in the field of windows, building physics, Passive House
and PHPP

Dr. Berthold Kaufmann, PHI, Darmstadt

Senior scientist at the Passive House Institute;

E-B.6 136 10/09