Simplified Sensing and In-situ Measuring Approach for Building Window Properties

Windows and glazing systems play an important role in making an energy-efficient home. A portable easyto-use in-situ measuring system of the window properties using low-cost Arduino platforms and compatible sensors is developed, 3D-printed, and fabricated in this project and used to measure the parameters including U-factor, Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC), and Visible Light Transmittance (VT). Comparing resultant output from the Arduino sensing and measurements to professional in-situ instruments, we demonstrate that this simple and compact Arduino-based instrument can obtain major window properties with reasonable accuracy. This simple but scalable sensing and measuring approach and Do-It-Yourself (DIY) fabrication workflow could be performed by creative people and even home owners without needing complex trainings and building physics knowledge.