ABSTRACT
Computational tools for evaluating the thermal performance of window systems are well developed and sufficiently accurate to be used in place of actual laboratory mockup testing for heat transmission. In service, the window is subject to perimeter installation details that disrupt the adiabatic conditions used with laboratory testing and to typical window treatments that compromise the assumption of uniform exposure to conditioned interior air. The author reviews approaches to simulating real world window installations and an actual design is developed to mitigate window condensation for a humidified building located in a moderately cold climate. Based on the simulation, an active window frame heating system was designed and installed as a mockup on one of the condensing windows. The mockup window and an adjacent control window were instrumented and monitored during cold weather. In addition to a wealth of temperature correlation data, the instruments recorded the power required for condensation control.
