Comfort Calculator
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Location
Choose a location that most closely resembles your local weather.
Window Size
SmallA room with one window, approximately 15-20 ft2 in size.
MediumA room with multiple windows, about 40-50 ft2 in total area.
LargeA room with mostly windows on the exterior wall.
Glass Types
2PDouble pane windows with one regular LoĒ coating.
3P-1ETriple pane glass with a LoĒ coating in one gap.
3P-2ETriple pane glass with a LoĒ coating in both gaps.
Room-Side Coating
LoĒ-i89LoĒ-i89 is a specially made coating that can be exposed to the room and used to further reduce wintertime heat loss from a standard IG unit (double pane or triple) with LoĒ in the gap.
Gas Fill
ArgonArgon is the standard gas fill for IG units with a LoĒ coating.
AirAir is standard for clear glass and any units modified for high altitude installations.
Gap Width
6.5mm
-
1/4"
9.5mm
-
3/8"
13.0mm
-
1/2"
16.0mm
-
5/8"
19.5mm
-
3/4"
The window performance changes with the gap between the glass panes (same width for both gaps in a triple pane). These are the gap widths choices in millimeters and the equivalent in inches.
LoĒ Coatings
LoĒ -180Passive Solar Control
LoĒ²-272Mid-range Solar Control
LoĒ²-270Mid-range Solar Control
LoĒ³-366Ultimate Solar Control
LoĒ³-340Maximum Glare Control
Frame Class
Class 1A typical design non-metal frame (wood, vinyl, fiberglass are the most common).
Class 2Slightly more efficient than Class 1. Window U-Factor will be 0.02 btu/hr·ft2·°F (0.1 W/m2·°C) lower than class 1 with the same glass package.
Class 3Slightly more efficient than Class 2. Window U-Factor will be 0.02 btu/hr·ft2·°F (0.1 W/m2·°C) lower than class 2 with the same glass package.
Estimated Window Performance

U-Factor: is a calculation that describes the rate of heat loss. A window with a lower U-Factor has greater resistance to heat flow and a better insulating value. Note: United States uses inch-pound imperial values (IP) and other countries use metric values (SI). (Conversion is IP multiplied by 5.678, or SI divided by 5.678.).

Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC): is the total amount of direct solar heat entering the room and indirect heat gained from absorption in the glass. A value of 1 is 100% gain, 0 is total blockage.

Visible Light Transmittance: is a percentage of the visible light spectrum that passes through the window into the room's interior. A higher visible transmittance is desirable for maximum daylight.

Fade Transmission: is a weighted calculation using UV and visible light (also called Tdw-ISO). A lower number means better fading protection to interior objects like carpets and furniture.

Compliance
This section shows if the given window configuration complies with the latest national energy code performance requirements for your geographic area. Check your building codes department for confirmation on what requirements are enforced in your area.
Location
Minneapolis, MN
Window Size
Medium
3 @ 3' x 5'
Small Medium Large
LoĒ Coating
None
None E180 E272 E270 E366 E340
Glass Type
2P
Clear Glass Options:
2P 3P - 1E 3P - 2E
Gap Width
9.8mm
Gap width too big
Check glass stress
Clear Glass Options:
6.5mm 9.8mm 13.0mm 16.0mm 19.5mm
Room-side coating
None
Clear Glass Options:
None i89
Gas Fill
Air
Clear Glass Options:
Air Argon
Frame Class
Class 1
Clear Glass Options:
Class 1 Class 2 Class 3
Visual Scenario
e366
Argon
Argon
e180 i89
9.8mm
9.8mm
Estimated Window Performance
U-Factor
--
U-Factor (SI)
--
SHGC
--
Light Trans
--
Fade Trans
--
Compliance
IECC
Energy Star
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CARDINAL GLASS INDUSTRIES
Comfort Calculator

The measure of an energy-efficient window is one that provides thermal comfort throughout the seasons of the year. Geographic location and window size are attributes that should be considered in order to select a glazing package that balances the need to keep rooms warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

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CARDINAL COMFORT CALCULATOR
About This Application

Window comfort analysis is derived using ASHRAE Standard 55 Thermal Environmental Conditions for Human Occupancy protocols (www.ashrae.org) and NFRC research report "Window Performance for Human Thermal Comfort, February 2006" when applied to full year (8760 hour) weather data file for each location. A particular hour counts for discomfort if the window heat loss (winter night) or heat gain (summer day) increases thermal discomfort by more than 10 percentage points over a room without windows.

Occupant proximity and shade closure demonstrate intervention needed to get selected window package within the 10% thermal dissatisfaction limits.

 
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