Alpen Windows Ideal for Maine Passive Solar Residences

Off-Grid Ready Home in Northern Maine

Fueled entirely by renewable energy resources and capable of functioning entirely off-grid at any time of the year, this Northern Maine single-family residence beautifully integrates passive solar design techniques with active solar collection technologies.

As part of the home’s highly efficient thermal envelope, Alpen 925 Series fiberglass (now called Zenith Series ZR-9) windows serve in two functions of insulating and heating the home. “Quad-pane” super-insulating AlpenGlass™ uses two suspended coated films inside the insulated glazing unit to achieve very low U-factors and a high solar heat gain coefficient for South-facing windows. By selecting AlpenGlass™ types based on elevation, the windows are “directionally tuned” to optimize the home’s performance.

The home is featured prominently on Solar Design Associates’ website: http://www.solardesign.com/SDA_Today/renewable-energy-provides-completely-for-maine-residence/

Passive House-Inspired Deep Energy Retrofit in Falmouth, Maine

Although homeowners of this deep energy retrofit project in Falmouth, Maine initially hoped decided after cost-analysis to not take extra steps required to achieve the Passivhaus standard, this superinsulated home will still far outperform most homes in energy efficiency and thermal comfort.

Homeowners and the design team selected Alpen 925 Series fiberglass high performance windows to compliment their highly efficient thermal envelope, taking advantage of of Alpen windows’ low U-factors and high solar heat gain glazing. Taking instruction from the Passivhaus approach, builders set Alpen 925 Series fiberglass windows in the center of the wall construction (as opposed to setting them in plane with either exterior or interior wall surface) to optimize thermal performance.

Designed by Architect Phil Kaplan, energy consultant Marc Rosenbaum, and builder Dan Kolbert, this home has been featured in a number of green and energy efficient home building websites, including Green Building Advisor, Martin Holladay’s Blog, Musings of an Energy Nerd: http://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/blogs/dept/musings/more-job-site-visits-maine