Windows play an important role not just in the massing, exterior attractiveness and interior mood of the design, but also in the energy efficiency and passive solar gain – something that was very important to the Hansons and Sloot.
“We used fixed windows as much as we could and strategically placed operable windows on opposite sides of the house,” for cross ventilation, said Sloot. They selected
Andersen® A-Series windows with triple-pane glass because they are
recognized for being most efficient. Because there are two air gaps between the three panes of glass they have a lower condensation potential from the gaps and more surfaces for coatings to help with the solar heat gain coefficient.
In the winter, solar energy is collected through the bank of windows all along the south side of the home. Not only does this lower heating costs, but it also adds to the aesthetic of the home. “I love having this bank,” said homeowner Kate Hanson, “That open and airy feeling it gives to our house is my favorite thing.”
In the summer, solar heat is rejected from the home by use of right-sized overhangs. The roof provides shade for the main floor windows. The lower level of the home is tucked in under the main level to provide shading in the same way.