Window Radiation Transfer

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Clear glass

Radiation transfer through clear glass

High-transmission low-e

Radiation transfer through high-transmission low-e windows

Spectrally selective low-e

Radiation transfer through spectrally selective low-e windows
  1. Most solar heat enters window
  2. Most long-wave radiation is transmitted out window
  3. Most solar heat enters window
  4. Most long-wave radiation is reflected back by low-e coating, reducing winter heat loss
  5. Most solar heat is reflected by spectrally selective coating, reducing summer heat gain
  6. Most long-wave radiation is reflected back by low-e coating, reducing winter heat loss

Excerpted with permission from No-Regrets Remodeling by Home Energy (1997)