@article {55431, title = {End User Impacts of Automated Electrochromic Windows in a Pilot Retrofit Application}, journal = {Energy and Buildings}, volume = {47}, year = {2012}, month = {04/2012}, pages = {267-284}, chapter = {267}, abstract = {

Automated electrochromic (EC) windows, advanced thermally-improved window frames, and a dimmable lighting system were installed in a single, west-facing conference room in Washington DC. The EC windows were commercially-available, tungsten-oxide switchable devices, modulated automatically between either fully clear or fully tinted transparent states to control solar gains, daylight, and discomfort glare. Occupants were permitted to manually override the automated EC controls. The system was monitored over a 15-month period under normal occupied conditions. The last six months were used in the analysis. Manual override data were analyzed to assess the EC control system design and user satisfaction with EC operations. Energy and comfort were evaluated using both monitored data and simulations.

Of the 328 meetings that occurred over the six month period, the automatic system was manually overridden on 14 or 4\% of the meetings for reasons other than demonstration purposes. When overridden, occupants appeared to have switched the individual zones with deliberation, using a combination of clear and tinted zones and the interior Venetian blinds to produce the desired interior environment. Monitored weekday lighting energy savings were 91\% compared to the existing lighting system, which was less efficient, had a higher illuminance setpoint, and no controls. Annual performance was estimated using EnergyPlus, where the existing condition met the ASHRAE 90.1-2007 prescriptive requirements except for a higher window U-value. Annual energy savings were 48\% while peak demand savings were 35\%.

}, keywords = {buildings energy efficiency, control systems, daylighting, Electrochromic windows, Integrated systems, Intelligent buildings}, doi = {10.1016/j.enbuild.2011.12.003}, author = {Eleanor S. Lee and Erin S. Claybaugh and Marc LaFrance} } @conference {1988, title = {Zero Energy Windows}, booktitle = {2006 ACEEE Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings}, year = {2006}, month = {08/2006}, address = {Pacific Grove, CA}, abstract = {

Windows in the U.S. consume 30 percent of building heating and cooling energy, representing an annual impact of 4.1 quadrillion BTU (quads) of primary energy. Windows have an even larger impact on peak energy demand and on occupant comfort. An additional 1 quad of lighting energy could be saved if buildings employed effective daylighting strategies.

The ENERGY STAR(r) program has made standard windows significantly more efficient. However, even if all windows in the stock were replaced with today{\textquoteright}s efficient products, window energy consumption would still be approximately 2 quads. However, windows can be "net energy gainers" or "zero-energy" products. Highly insulating products in heating applications can admit more useful solar gain than the conductive energy lost through them. Dynamic glazings can modulate solar gains to minimize cooling energy needs and, in commercial buildings, allow daylighting to offset lighting requirements. The needed solutions vary with building type and climate. Developing this next generation of zero-energy windows will provide products for both existing buildings undergoing window replacements and products which are expected to be contributors to zero-energy buildings.

This paper defines the requirements for zero-energy windows. The technical potentials in terms of national energy savings and the research and development (R\&D) status of the following technologies are presented:

Market transformation policies to promote these technologies as they emerge into the marketplace are then described.

}, author = {Dariush K. Arasteh and Stephen E. Selkowitz and Joshua S. Apte and Marc LaFrance} }