Window Energy Efficiency
Natural ventilation
Altair® Louvre Windows provide energy-efficient control of natural light and fresh air in a building. Increasing natural ventilation can improve the health and productivity of building occupants whilst reducing the reliance on air conditioning.
By adjusting the angle of the Breezway Louvre Blades, inhabitants can regulate the amount of air that enters their living space, while simultaneously maximising their views of the surrounding landscape. View project.
Maximum Ventilation
Altair Louvres are considered to be the most energy-efficient window on the market, due to their unique ability to provide close to 100% ventilation, which sets them apart from other window systems.
Altair Louvre Window
Awning Window
Sliding Window
Fixed Window
Solar Control
Controlling the amount of heat entering a home from the sun is important for comfort and energy efficiency. Clear windows let in a lot of heat, but tinted windows can reduce this heat gain. In hot climates and on western-facing windows, a low solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) is desirable. In colder climates and on northern-facing windows, a higher SHGC is desirable.
Altair Louvre Windows:
- Achieve a low Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) when using tinted glass blades.
- Block out sunlight and allow ventilation with timber or aluminum louvre blades.
- Prevent Solar Heat Gain by angling blades while maintaining ventilation.
- Reduce Solar Heat Gain with metal mesh screens.
Sealing
Altair Louvre Windows provide tight sealing significantly better than the standard required for residential windows due to:
- A living hinge design that prevents water and air penetration.
- An over-center locking mechanism for strong closure.
Insulation
U-values measure a window's thermal conductivity, or how quickly heat transfers through it. Lower U-values mean slow heat transfer and higher U-values indicate fast transfer. The importance of U-values depends on the outdoor temperature difference.
Altair Louvre Windows have low U-values and can outperform some double-glazed windows when using low e coatings.
Cross Flow Ventilation
The importance of window placement.
Good
Better
Best
Excellent
Internal Ventilation
Ventilation openings are often needed in internal walls.
The drawing above illustrates how a ventilation adjustable louvre window between rooms is more efficient than just having external louvre windows alone.
Thermal Chimney Effect
Installing windows up high.
Another good way to naturally cool a room is to place some Altair Powerlouvre Windows up high. This is effective because rising hot air is able to escape the room through the high up louvres, helping to keep the room cool.
Energy Efficiency
Altair Louvre Windows by Breezway are an energy efficient way to control natural light and fresh air into your home or office environment.
The video explains the benefits of Altair Louvre Windows that maximise natural ventilation as well as sealing tightly.
Ventilation Rates & Energy Efficiency
Ventilation is essential to create a naturally comfortable home. This short video compares the ventilation rates of different window types.
Natural Ventilation in Offices Case Study
The new Breezway Head Office displays a spectacular showcase of Breezway Altair Louvre Windows, in particular the Altair Powerlouvre Window that has been integrated into a building management system to achieve a cost efficient, environmentally sustainable commercial building design.
BREEZWAY LOUVRES
Benefits of energy efficiency
To learn more about the benefits of energy efficiency, Breezway has produced a number of Technical Bulletins to assist with your building designs.