Policies and Status of Window Design for Energy Efficient Buildings

Abstract

Windows are known to be responsible for considerable portion of heating and cooling energy use in modern buildings. Many countries have tightened minimum requirements for window performance and design in building energy conservation codes and regulations. We analyzed and compared these requirements of window performance and design in building energy policies of many countries. We also investigated the status of window design of office buildings in Korea in terms of WWR, glazing types, window frames, and air-tightness, etc. Finally, some suggestions were proposed to improve Korean building energy conservation code, such as the necessity of more strengthened requirements on window air-tightness and shading devices.