How big of an energy penalty will skylights impose? Windows?
dsmcn
| Posted in Energy Efficiency and Durability on
New construction, East Tennessee, zone 3B. The roof will be unvented, and insulated at the rafters (with a thermal break) to R-40. In a 2,000 sq.ft. plan, I want to use three 2’x4’ skylights to brighten interior spaces. I am also partial to skylights because they allow one to hear the rain and feel more connected to the outdoors.
Also, is there a way for normal people like me to model the effect of windows on the wall assembly? I’d like to test the difference between glazing options, and also size choices.
Will a few big windows compromise all the efforts to build an airtight, well-insulated house?
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Replies
David,
Are you designing your own house, or have you hired a designer? It's hard to imagine that anyone would want to design a new house without using energy-modeling software.
There are a lot of programs out there. Some are free and available online; others must be purchased. I would strongly urge you to choose an energy-modeling program and use it. It would be time well spent.
Before you do an energy modeling, you should know the material selection of your skylight, is it glass or plastic? Single pane or double? Low-E or not? What’s the U-value? What’s the frame is made of? What’s the roof pitch? Which way is the roof facing? Etc., etc.