Influence of window size on the energy balance of low energy houses

A generally accepted way of building passive houses has been to have small windows facing north and large windows to the south. This is to minimize losses on the north side while gaining as much solar heat as possible on the south. In spring 2001, 20 terraced houses were built outside Gothenburg partly in this way. The indoor temperature is kept at a comfortable level by passive methods, using solar gains and internal gains from household appliances and occupants. Heat losses are very low, since the building envelope is well insulated and since modern coated triple-glazed windows have been installed.