Carbon reductions through optimized solar heat gain glass properties considering future climate and grid emissions: case study of Chicago’s residential buildings

Existing resources leave confusion over the benefits of high versus low Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) windows for energy performance in residential buildings retrofits in cold climates. Additionally, few studies have considered the impact of expected future climate conditions and time-variable grid emission rates on energy-related metrics. Utilizing the ResStock, residential building stock models from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), this study investigates retrofits increasing the SHGC of windows in Chicago, a cold US city. The results indicate that increasing window SHGC increases summer cooling needs; however, in most cases, this effect is more than offset by reduced winter heating needs. This balance is particularly beneficial considering the state’s expected long-run marginal carbon emission rates. The study also examines the combined effects of high SHGC with improved window insulation values, demonstrating that such strategic window retrofits not only enhance overall building energy performance but also contribute to greater emission reductions. On average, the current Chicago residences (n = 4,826) save 4.6 % on heating and cooling carbon emissions by increasing the SHGC of the windows. If we assume that those homes are upgraded with heat pumps (electrification), a popular retrofit that reduces heating-related carbon emissions in particular, the increased window SHGC saves 2.5 % of long-run marginal carbon emissions. These results provide new insight into the carbon benefits of higher SHGC replacement windows in a cold climate. The benefits are significant, even considering future trends of a warming climate, higher demand grid emissions, and building electrification.