Window placement optimizes your home's energy efficiency and natural lighting. As homeowners in Ottawa and surrounding areas consider building new houses, understanding the impact of window positioning can lead to significant energy savings and improved comfort. Canadian Comfort, your trusted supplier of high-quality windows and doors for over 55 years, recognizes the importance of strategic window installation in maximizing these benefits. Through this blog, we will guide you, one panel at a time, to understand the importance of proper window placement.
Heat Gain and Loss
Properly placed windows can significantly enhance a home's thermal performance. In Ottawa's harsh climate, where winters are extremely cold and summers are very warm, window positioning is vital for effectively managing heat gain and loss. Here are the effects of the positioning of windows in different corners:
South-facing windows allow maximum solar heat gain in winter, decreasing the need for artificial heating. Designed overhangs or awnings can also prevent overheating from the high-angle sun in summer.
While north-facing windows provide consistent, glare-free natural light, they also contribute to heat loss in winter.
Energy-star windows with low-E coatings can help mitigate this issue.
East and west-facing windows receive intense morning and afternoon sun, respectively. Controlling heat gain and glare is possible with careful placement and external shading devices.
Natural Ventilation
Strategic window placement can enhance natural ventilation, reducing the need for air conditioning:
Cross-ventilation: Placing windows on opposite sides of a room or house allows for efficient air movement.
Stack effect: Vertical placement of windows can create a chimney effect, drawing cool air in from lower levels and expelling warm air at higher levels.
Daylighting: Harnessing Natural Light
Effective daylighting through proper window placement can significantly reduce the need for artificial lighting, leading to energy savings and improved well-being:
Room orientation: Consider each room's function when deciding on window placement. For example, bedrooms might benefit from east-facing windows for morning light, while living areas could have south-facing windows for consistent daylight.
Window size and placement: Larger windows or multiple smaller windows can increase natural light penetration. Clerestory windows or skylights can bring light deep into the house.
Light shelves: These architectural elements can reflect light deeper into a room, improving light distribution and reducing glare.
Energy Star Windows: A Key Component
When considering window installation in Ottawa, choosing Energy Star-certified windows is crucial. These windows meet strict energy efficiency guidelines set by Natural Resources Canada. Canadian Comfort offers a wide selection of Energy Star windows that can significantly enhance your home's energy performance:
Low-E coatings are microscopically thin layers that reflect heat while allowing light to pass, which improves insulation.
Multiple panes are double or triple-paned windows with inert gas fill that provide superior insulation compared to single-pane windows.
Warm edge spacers reduce heat transfer around the window edges, improving thermal performance.
While selecting the right windows is important, proper installation is equally crucial for achieving optimal energy efficiency. Canadian Comfort’s expertise in window installation and our wide selection of Energy Star-certified windows make us the ideal partner for homeowners looking to enhance their new build’s energy performance. Our commitment to quality and customer satisfaction ensures that your investment in energy-efficient windows will provide lasting benefits. Contact us today to make informed decisions about window placement and high-quality, energy-efficient windows.