Windows and Skylights

Window Orientation

HEScore requires that a window area be specified for each side of the building. To determine the window area on each side of the building, each Window element in HPXML must have an Area subelement. The Area subelement is assumed to mean the sum of the areas of the windows that the Window element represents. Each Window is then assigned to a side of the building in one of two ways:

  1. By inspecting the azimuth or orientation of the window.
  2. By association with a particular wall.

If there is an Orientation or Azimuth element, the side is determined via the one of those elements with preference given to the Azimuth if present. If the window falls between two sides of the house, the window area is divided between the sides of the house evenly.

If Orientation or Azimuth are missing and the HPXML window has the AttachedToWall element, the id reference in that element is used to find the associated wall and the side of the building that the window faces is inferred from the wall orientation. If the window is attached to a foundation wall, the orientation/azimuth must be provided on the Window element because foundation walls do not have orientation or azimuth elements available.

The areas on each side of the house are summed and the Window Properties are determined independently for each side of the house. Since HPXML requires that window properties be assigned to each direction, the window_construction_same option in HEScore will always be false and all windows will be specified separately.

Skylights in HEScore do not have an orientation that can be set, therefore orientation/azimuth information about skylights is ignored. Use AttachedToRoof to specify which HPXML roof each skylight is attached to. If not specified, skylights will be assigned to the first hescore roof.

Window Properties

Windows can be specified in one of two different ways in HEScore:

  1. NFRC rated window specifications U-Factor and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC)
  2. Generic window types defined by the number of panes of glass, frame material, and glazing type.

Preference is given to the first choice above if those values are available in the HPXML document. If U-Factor and SHGC are not available, then one of the window codes is chosen based on the other properties of the windows. Since HPXML stores the window properties for each window, the properties for the windows on each side of the house must be aggregated across all of the windows on that side. The processes described below are done independently for the windows on each side of the house.

Defining windows using NFRC specifications

When there is at least one window on a side of the house that has U-Factor and SHGC values available, those are used. The values are aggregated across all the windows on a particular side of the house by taking an area weighted average omitting any windows that do not have U-Factor and SHGC values.

Defining windows by selecting a window type

When none of the windows on a side of the house have U-Factor and SHGC data elements, a window code is selected based on other properties of each window. Then the most predominant window code by area on each side of the house is selected.

Unfortunately there is not a 1-to-1 correlation of the HPXML data elements to HEScore for these selections and it is possible to define windows in HPXML that are impossible to input into HEScore. In these cases the translation will fail.

Windows are first sorted by frame type. The mapping of HPXML FrameType to HEScore frame type is performed thusly.

Window frame type mapping
HPXML HEScore
Aluminum Aluminum
Composite Wood or Vinyl
Fiberglass Wood or Vinyl
Metal Aluminum
Vinyl Wood or Vinyl
Wood Wood or Vinyl
Other not translated

Warning

If a FrameType of Other is selected in HPXML, the translation will fail.

Both the Aluminum and Metal frame types in HPXML have optional ThermalBreak subelements that specify whether there is a thermal break in the frame. If ThermalBreak is true then the “Aluminum with Thermal Break” frame type is selected.

Depending on the frame type selected in HEScore, different options become available for number of panes and glass type. The following sections explain the logic for each frame type.

Aluminum

The aluminum frame type allows for single- and double-paned windows, but not more than that. According to the HEScore documentation, single-pane windows with storm windows should be considered double-pane.

Window pane mapping for Aluminum frame types (HPXML v2)
HPXML Glass Layers HEScore
single-pane single-pane
double-pane double-pane
triple-pane not translated
multi-layered not translated
single-paned with storms double-pane
single-paned with low-e storms double-pane
other not translated
Window pane mapping for Aluminum frame types (HPXML v3)
HPXML Glass Layers HEScore
single-pane single-pane
double-pane double-pane
triple-pane not translated
multi-layered not translated
other not translated

Note

Starting from HPXML v3, “single-paned with storms” and “single-paned with low-e storms” enumerations are removed. Instead, translator searches Window/StormWindow element for storm existence. If the storm window is a low-e window, specify Window/StormWindow/GlassType to be equal to “low-e”. StormWindow is only used when single-pane window is specified.

HPXML v2 “single-paned with storms” equivalence(mapped to double-pane) in HPXML v3:
  • Window/GlassLayers “single-pane” + Window/StormWindow.
HPXML v2 “single-paned with low-e storms” equivalence(mapped to double-pane) in HPXML v3:
  • Window/GlassLayers “single-pane” + Window/StormWindow/GlassType to be “low-e”.

Warning

If a window has the “Aluminum” frame type, the GlassLayers must be single-pane, double-pane, or a single-pane with storm windows (or specify Window/StormWindow with “single-pane” in HPXML v3+) or the translation will fail.

Single-pane

Single-paned windows can be either tinted or clear. If the GlassType element is either “tinted” or “tinted/reflective”, “Single-pane, tinted” is selected. Otherwise, “Single-pane, clear” is selected.

Single-pane window mapping for Aluminum frame types
HPXML Glass Type HEScore Glazing Type
low-e Single-pane, tinted
tinted Single-pane, tinted
reflective Single-pane, clear
tinted/reflective Single-pane, tinted
other Single-pane, clear
element missing Single-pane, clear
Double-pane

Double-paned windows have a solar control low-e option in addition to the tinted and clear options.

Double-pane window mapping for Aluminum frame types
HPXML Glass Type HEScore Glazing Type
low-e Double-pane, solar-control low-E
tinted Double-pane, tinted
reflective Double-pane, solar-control low-E
tinted/reflective Double-pane, solar-control low-E
other Double-pane, clear
element missing Double-pane, clear

Aluminum with Thermal Break

Only double paned window options are available for the aluminum with thermal break frame type. According to the HEScore documentation, single-pane windows with storm windows should be considered double-pane.

Window pane mapping for Aluminum with Thermal Break frame types (HPXML v2)
HPXML Glass Layers HEScore
single-pane not translated
double-pane double-pane
triple-pane not translated
multi-layered not translated
single-paned with storms double-pane
single-paned with low-e storms double-pane
other not translated
Window pane mapping for Aluminum with Thermal Break frame types (HPXML v3)
HPXML Glass Layers HEScore
single-pane not translated
double-pane double-pane
triple-pane not translated
multi-layered not translated
other not translated

Note

Starting from HPXML v3, “single-paned with storms” and “single-paned with low-e storms” enumerations are removed. Instead, translator searches Window/StormWindow element for storm existence. If the storm window is a low-e window, specify Window/StormWindow/GlassType to be equal to “low-e”. StormWindow is only used when single-pane window is specified.

HPXML v2 “single-paned with storms” equivalence(mapped to double-pane) in HPXML v3:
  • Window/GlassLayers “single-pane” + Window/StormWindow.
HPXML v2 “single-paned with low-e storms” equivalence(mapped to double-pane) in HPXML v3:
  • Window/GlassLayers “single-pane” + Window/StormWindow/GlassType to be “low-e”.

Warning

If a window has the “Aluminum with Thermal Break” frame type, the GlassLayers must be double-pane or single-pane with storms (or specify Window/StormWindow with “single-pane” in HPXML v3+) or the translation will fail.

Double-pane

To get the “Double-pane, insulating low-E, argon gas fill” option, you need to specify the window elements as highlighted below. Storm windows will not work because it is impossible to have an argon gas fill between the window and the storm window.

<Window>
   <SystemIdentifier id="id1"/>
   <Area>30</Area>
   <Orientation>east</Orientation>
   <FrameType>
       <Aluminum><!-- or Metal -->
           <ThermalBreak>true</ThermalBreak>
       </Aluminum>
   </FrameType>
   <GlassLayers>double-pane</GlassLayers>
   <GlassType>low-e</GlassType>
   <GasFill>argon</GasFill>
</Window>

“Double-pane, solar-control low-E” can be specified as highlighted in the following code block. Using “reflective” in GlassType is assumed to be the same as solar control low-e.

<Window>
   <SystemIdentifier id="id2"/>
   <Area>30</Area>
   <Orientation>east</Orientation>
   <FrameType>
       <Aluminum><!-- or Metal -->
           <ThermalBreak>true</ThermalBreak>
       </Aluminum>
   </FrameType>
   <GlassLayers>double-pane</GlassLayers><!-- or other double-pane mapped options mentioned above -->
   <GlassType>reflective</GlassType>
</Window>

Warning

Is “reflective” the same as solar control low-e or close enough? I’m running on the assumption that low-e means insulating low-e.

To specify the “Double-pane, tinted” option in HEScore, the GlassType needs to be either “tinted” or “tinted/reflective.”

<Window>
   <SystemIdentifier id="window1"/>
   <Area>30</Area>
   <Orientation>east</Orientation>
   <FrameType>
       <Aluminum>
           <ThermalBreak>true</ThermalBreak>
       </Aluminum>
   </FrameType>
   <GlassLayers>double-pane</GlassLayers><!-- or 'single-paned with storms', 'single-paned with low-e storms' -->
   <GlassType>tinted</GlassType><!-- or tinted/reflective -->
</Window>

All other double-pane windows will be translated as “Double-pane, clear.”

Wood or Vinyl

In HEScore wood or vinyl framed windows can have 1, 2, or 3 panes. According to the HEScore documentation, single-pane windows with storm windows should be considered double-pane. The HPXML GlassLayers maps into HEScore number of panes as follows:

Window pane mapping for Wood or Vinyl frame types (HPXML v2)
HPXML Glass Layers HEScore
single-pane single-pane
double-pane double-pane
triple-pane triple-pane
multi-layered not translated
single-paned with storms double-pane
single-paned with low-e storms double-pane
other not translated
Window pane mapping for Wood or Vinyl frame types (HPXML v3)
HPXML Glass Layers HEScore
single-pane single-pane
double-pane double-pane
triple-pane triple-pane
multi-layered not translated
other not translated

Note

Starting from HPXML v3, “single-paned with storms” and “single-paned with low-e storms” enumerations are removed. Instead, translator searches Window/StormWindow element for storm existence. If the storm window is a low-e window, specify Window/StormWindow/GlassType to be equal to “low-e”. StormWindow is only used when single-pane window is specified.

HPXML v2 “single-paned with storms” equivalence(mapped to double-pane) in HPXML v3:
  • Window/GlassLayers “single-pane” + Window/StormWindow.
HPXML v2 “single-paned with low-e storms” equivalence(mapped to double-pane) in HPXML v3:
  • Window/GlassLayers “single-pane” + Window/StormWindow/GlassType to be “low-e”.
Single-pane

Single-pane windows can be either tinted or not. If the GlassType element is either “tinted” or “tinted/reflective”, “Single-pane, tinted” is selected. Otherwise, “Single-pane, clear” is selected.

Single-pane window mapping for Wood or Vinyl frame types
HPXML Glass Type HEScore Glazing Type
low-e Single-pane, tinted
tinted Single-pane, tinted
reflective Single-pane, clear
tinted/reflective Single-pane, tinted
other Single-pane, clear
element missing Single-pane, clear
Double-pane

Double-pane windows can be either clear, tinted, insulating low-E with or without argon gas fill, and solar control low-E with or without argon gas fill. According to the HEScore documentation, single-pane windows with storm windows should be considered double-pane. The double-pane mapping is a bit more complicated as it needs to use multiple elements to determine the glazing type for HEScore. We will address each possible HEScore combination and how it is expected to be represented in HPXML.

To get a insulating low-E double-pane wood or vinyl framed window, GlassLayers needs to be “double-pane” and the GlassType needs to be “low-e” or GlassLayers needs to be “single-paned with low-e storms” (or GlassLayers “single-pane” + Window/StormWindow/GlassType equal to “low-e” in HPXML v3+). If GasFill is argon, it will be argon filled. For instance, to get a double-pane low-E with argon fill, the HPXML window element would look like:

<Window>
   <SystemIdentifier id="window1"/>
   <Area>30</Area>
   <Orientation>east</Orientation>
   <FrameType>
       <Vinyl/>
   </FrameType>
   <GlassLayers>double-pane</GlassLayers>
   <GlassType>low-e</GlassType>
   <GasFill>argon</GasFill>
</Window>

Translating a Single-pane window with a low-E storm window into the HEScore type of double-pane with insulating low-E the HPXML window element would look like:

  • HPXML v2:
<Window>
   <SystemIdentifier id="window53"/>
   <Area>30</Area>
   <Orientation>east</Orientation>
   <FrameType>
       <Vinyl/>
   </FrameType>
   <GlassLayers>single-paned with low-e storms</GlassLayers>
</Window>
  • HPXML v3:
<Window>
   <SystemIdentifier id="window53"/>
   <Area>30</Area>
   <Orientation>east</Orientation>
   <FrameType>
       <Vinyl/>
   </FrameType>
   <GlassLayers>single-pane</GlassLayers>
   <StormWindow>
      <SystemIdentifier id="windowstorm"/>
      <GlassType>low-e</GlassType>
   </StormWindow>
</Window>

Note the missing GlassType element. It is ignored when it’s a single-paned window with low-e storms. The translation will also ignore GasFill for single-paned window because it’s impossible to have argon between a single pane window and storm window.

To specify a solar-control low-E double-pane wood or vinyl framed window a GlassType of “reflective” must be specified. Setting GasFill as “argon” or not indicates whether the argon gas fill type is chosen in HEScore.

Warning

The HPXML GlassType of reflective is assumed to mean solar control low-E when translated into HEScore parlance.

For instance, to get a “Double-pane, solar-control low-E” glazing type, the HPXML window element would look like:

<Window>
   <SystemIdentifier id="window53"/>
   <Area>30</Area>
   <Orientation>east</Orientation>
   <FrameType>
       <Wood/>
   </FrameType>
   <GlassLayers>double-pane</GlassLayers>
   <GlassType>reflective</GlassType>
</Window>

For argon filled, you would add <GasFill>argon</GasFill> before the </Window>.

If the GlassType is “tinted” or “tinted/reflective” the “Double-pane, tinted” HEScore glazing type is selected.

Finally, if the window is double-pane (or single-pane with storm window) and doesn’t meet the above criteria, then the “Double-pane, clear” glazing type is chosen for HEScore.

Triple-pane

If the GlassLayers in HPXML specifies a “triple-paned” window, the HEScore “Triple-pane, insulating low-E, argon gas fill” glazing type is selected. The GlassType and GasFill elements are not considered since this is the only triple-pane glazing option in HEScore.

Solar Screens

For each side of the house in HEScore, solar screens may be present. To determine if solar screens should be specified, the translator looks for either of the following subelements of Window or Skylight:

HPXML v2:

  • <ExteriorShading>solar screens</ExteriorShading>
  • <Treatments>solar screen</Treatments>

HPXML v3:

  • <ExteriorShading><Type>solar screens</Type></ExteriorShading>

If the majority of the window area on a side of the house (or skylights facing upwards) meet that criteria, that side of the house will have solar screens in the HEScore model. This determination is made independent of whether the other window properties were set using NFRC specifications or inferred based on window type.