Window Design in Ardabil Traditional Houses for Conservation of Energy

Windows have a major role on absorbing solar energy, reducing heat loses, and adding their values in traditional houses in Ardabil. The main aim of this research is to study windows as elements of beautification and production of clean and free energy. We discern that windows can be designed to respond to the regional climates. To explore that, we review four samples of the windows in the famous traditional houses of the Ardabil such as: Rezazadeh’s, Ebrahimi’s, Ershadi’s and Sadeghi’s that are related to the Qajar and Zand architecture periods in Iran. Research method for this study is the comparative and interpretative–history review. Moreover, the information is collected from documents and libraries. We focused in sash window design in southern front of traditional houses. Results showed that the physical dimensions of these windows are compatible in cold climates of Ardabil which are different from the other front of architectures. Also, this research showed that light loss in the Rezazadeh House is 17? and in Ebrahimi is 7%, Ershadi’s and Sadeghi’s were respectively 8.5? because there is a canopy above the window at Rezazadeh House. The last three houses are close to the average. So, it showed that windows can be designed to respond to the regional climates. The placements of windows in front wall without any indentations in the south walls indicate the need for more light on this front. But in the east and west side windows, the windows are associated with a slight indentation. Also, using large dimension windows in southern side of the case studies shows that light in these fronts was very important.