Passive House Windows: Your Complete Guide

There is nothing quite like waking up to the natural sunlight softly illuminating your bedroom. As you make your way to the kitchen, a large, south-facing window allows you to watch the hummingbirds buzzing about your pollinator-friendly garden. The sun illuminates your home throughout the daylight hours, making it unnecessary to turn on any artificial light throughout the day. Large windows that allow natural light to illuminate the house cut back on the energy used for lighting and play an essential role in our mental health. One study found that hospital patients who were placed in recovery rooms with windows that offered a view of nature could recover faster from surgery with less need for painkiller medications than those who did not have access to natural light. Dozens of studies confirm that biophilic architectural design in both homes and office settings can reduce stress, improve brain function, and enhance mood and creativity.

So why doesn't every homeowner add a couple of windows to brighten and enliven their home? Unfortunately, older window technology was one of the primary sources of unwanted heat loss and heat gain. The United States Department of Energy (DOE) finds that "heat gain and heat loss through windows are responsible for 25%–30% of residential heating and cooling energy use." Though that large bay window in the living room might offer a beautiful view and biophilic benefits, it might also be driving up your monthly energy bill.