EUROPEAN STANDARD EN 673

NORME EUROPEENNE
EUROpAISCHE NORM ' November 1997

ICS 81.040 .20

Descriptors: glazing, window glass, thermal insulation, rules of calculation, heat transfer coefficient, measurements,
opacity, infrared radiation

English version

Glass in building - Determination of thermal transmittance (U

value) - Calculation method

Verre dans la construction - Determination du coefficient de Glas im Bauwesen - Bestimmung des

transmission thermique, U - Methode de calcul Warmedurchgangskoeffizienten (U-Wert)-
Berechnungsver!lihren

This European Standard was approved by CEN on 8 October199'l.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEe Intemal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European
Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up:to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national
standards may be obtained on application to the Central Secretariat or to any CEN member.

This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation
under the responsibility ofa CEN member into its own language and notified to the Central Secretariat has the same status as the offiCial
versions.
..
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece,
Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, P-ortugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.

EUROPEAN COMMITIEE . FOR STANDARDIZATION

COMITE EUROPEEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROpAISCHES 'KOMITEE FUR NORMUNG

Central Secretariat: rue de Stassart, 36 8-1050 Brussels

© 1997 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 673:1997 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.
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EN 673:1997

Contents

Foreword

1 Scope

2 Normative references

3 Symbols

4 Definitions

5 Basic formulae

6 Basic material properties

7 External and intemal heat transfer coefficients

8 Declared values: standardized boundary conditions

9 Expression of the results •

10 Test report

Annex A (normative) Determination of normal and corrected emissivity

Annex B (normative) Iteration procedure for glazing with more than one gas space
Annex C (informative) Bibliography
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EN 673:1997

1 Scope

This European Standard specifies a calculation method to determine the thermal

transmittance of glazing with flat and parallel surfaces.
This European Standard applies to uncoated glass (including glass with structured surfaces,
e.g. patterned glass), coated glass and materials not transparent in the far infrared which is
the case for soda lime silicate glass products (called hereafter soda lime glass), borosilicate
glass and glass ceramic. It applies also to multiple glazing comprising such glasses and/or
materials. It does not apply to multiple glazing which include in the gas space sheets or foils
that are far infrared transparent. The procedure specified in this European Standard
determines the U value 1) (thermal transmittance) in the central area of glazing.
The edge effects due to the thermal bridge through the spacer of a sealed glazing unit or
through the window frame are not included. Furthermore energy transfer due to solar
radiation is not taken into account.
The document for the calculation of the overall U value of windows , doors and shutters (see
C.1) gives normative reference to the U value calculcited for the glazing components
according to this standard.
For the purpose of product comparison, a vertical position of the glazing is specified.
In addition U values are calculated using the same procedure for other purposes, in particular
for predicting: .

- heat loss through glazing; .

- conduction heat gains in summer;
- condensation on glazing surfaces;
- the effect of the absorbed solar radiati n in· determining the solar factor (see C.2) .

Reference should be made to C.4 and C.S or other European Standards dealing with heat
loss calculations for the application of glazing U values determined by this standard.

A procedure for the determination of emissivity is also given.

The rules have been made as simple as possible consistent with accuracy.

2 Normative references

This European Standard incorporates by dated or undated references, provisions from other
publications. These normative references are cited at the appropriate places in the text and
the publications are listed hereafter. For dated references, subsequent amendments to or
revisions of any of . these publications apply to this European Standard only when
incorporated in it by amendment or revision. For undated references the latest edition of the
publication referred to applies.

EN 674 Glass in building - Determination of thermal transmittance (U value) . -

Guarded hot plate method

EN 675 Glass in building - Determination of thElrmal transmittance (U value) - Heat

flow meter method

prEN 1098 Glass in building - Determination of thermal transmittance (U value) -

Calibrated and guarded hot box method

1) In some countries the symbol k has been used hitherto.

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EN 673:1997

3 Symbols

A constant
c specific heat capacity of gas J/(kg • K)
d thickness of material layer (glass
or alternative glazing material) m
F volume fraction
h - heat transfer coefficient W/(m 2 • K)
- also thermal conductance W/(m 2 - K)
M number of material layers
n exponent 'CS
N number of spaces
r thermal resistivity of glass (glazing material) m'K!W
P gas property
Rn normal reflectance (perpendicular to the
surface)
width of gas space m
absolute temperature K
thermal transmittance Wf(m 2 , K)
temperature difference K
corrected emissivity
normal emissivity (perpendicular to the
surface)
p gas density kg/m 3
Slefan-Boltzmann's constant 5,67 x 10-8 W/(m 2 - K4)
dynamic viscosity of gas kg/(in • s)
- thermal conductivity of gas in space Wf(m' K)
- also wavelength ~m
temperature on the Celsius scale QC

Dimensionless Numbers

Br Grashot number
Nu Nusselt number
Pr Prandtl number

Subscripts

c convection
e external
i internal
j j-th material layer
g gas
m mean
n normal
r radiation
s space
t total
1;2 first, second etc.
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EN 673:1997

4 Definitions

For the purposes of this standard, the following definitions apply:

4.1 U value: Parameter of glazing which characterizes the heat transfer through the central
part of the glazing, i.e. without edge effects, and states the steady-state density of heat
transfer rate ·per temperature difference between the environmental temperatures on each
side. The U value is given in watts per square metre kelvin [W/(m2 • K)].

4.2 declared value: U value obtained under standardized boundary conditions (see clause
8).

5 Basic formulae

The method of this standard is based on a calculation according to the following principles.

5.1 Uvalue

The U value is given by:

(1 )

where:
he and h; are the external and internal heat transfer coefficients;
fit is the total thermal conductance of the glazing.
1 N I M
- =L-+
hi hs
Ld ·r
I I J J
(2)

where:
hs is the thermal conductance of each gas space;
N is the number of spaces;
<1 is the thickness of each material layer;
~ is the thermal resistivity of each material (thermal resistivity of soda lime glass =
1,0 m' K/W);
M is the number of material layers.

(3)

where:
hr is the radiation conductance;
hg is the gas conductance.

For glazing with more than one gas space the U value shall be found by iteration (see annex
B).
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EN 673:1997

5.2 Radiation conductance hr

The radiation conductance is given by:

-1
1
( 1 3
h = 4cr - + - -] ) T.
r E E m
I 2 (4)

where:
(J is the Stefan-Boltzmann's constant;

Tm is the mean absolute temperature of the gas s~ce;

El and E2 are the corrected emissivities at T. .•

5.3 Gas conductance hg

The gas conductance is given by:

A.
h g =Nu-
s (5)
where:
s is the width of the space;
A is the thermal conductivity;
Nu is the Nusselt number.

Nu = A (Gr pryn (6)

where:
A is a constant
Gr is the Grashof number
Pr is the Prandtl number
n is an exponent

(7)

(8)
where:
L1 .T is the temperature difference between glass surfaces bounding the gas space;

P is the density;

J1 is the dynamic viscosity;

c is the specific heat capacity;

 Page 8
EN 673:1997

Tm is the mean temperature.

The Nusselt number is calculated from equation (6).

If Nu is less than 1, then the value unity is used for Nu in equation (5).

5.3.1 Vertical glazing

For vertical glazing:

A is 0,035
nis 0,38

5.3.2 Horizontal and angled glazing

For horizontal or angled glazing and upward heat flow the /ileat transfer by convection is
enhanced.

This effect shall be considered by substituting the following values of A and n in equation (6) .

Horizontal spaces A = 0,16 n= 0,28

Space at 45° A = 0,19 n= 0,31

For intermediate angles linear interpolation is satisfactory.

When the direction of heat flow is downward the convection shall be considered suppressed
for practical cases and Nu = 1 is substituted in equation (5).

6 Basic material proper,ties

6.1 Emissivity

The corrected emissivities E of tfle surfaces bounding the enclosed spaces are required to
calculate the radiation conductance hr in equation (4).

For uncoated soda lime glass surfaces or for soda lime glass surfaces with coatings which
have no effect on the emissivity, the corrected emissivity to be used is 0,837.

NOTE 1: With reasonable confidence the same value may be used for uncoated
borosilicate glass and glass ceramic.

For other coated surfaces the normal emissivity en shall be determined with an infrared
spectrometer (see A.1 and C.6) and the corrected emissivity is determined from the normal
emissivity as described in A.2.

NOTE 2: Two different definitions of emissivity should be theoretically used to

describe radiation exchange between:
a) glass surfaces facing each other in glazing;
b) a glass surface faCing a room.
However, in practice numerical differences are found to be negligibly small. Thus
corrected emissivity describes both types of heat exchange with a sufficient
approximation.
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EN 673:1997

6.2 Gas properties

The properties of the gas filling the space are required.

These are: thermal conductivity A

density . p
dynamic viscosity Jl
specific heat capacity c

The relevant values are substituted in equations (7) and (8) above for the Grashof and
Prandtl numbers and the Nusselt number is determined from equation (6) above.

If the Nusselt number is greater than 1 this indicates that convection is occurring, enhancing
the heat flow rate.

If the calculated value of the Nusselt number is less than 1 this indicates that heat flow in the
gas is by conduction only and the Nusselt number is given the bounding value of 1.
Substitution in equation (5) gives the gas conductance hg.

Values of gas properties for a range of gases used in sealed glazing units are given in table
1.

For a/l practical gas mixtures the gas properties are proportioned in the ratio of the volume
fractions, F1 ,1=2 ... , with sufficient app,roximation:,

Gas 1: F1; Gas 2: F2 etc.

(9)

where P represents the relevant property: thermal conductivity, density, viscosity or specific
heat capacity.
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EN 673:1997

Table 1 : Gas properties

gas tempera- density dynamic conductivity specific heat

ture viscosity capacity
t? p A c
J1
°C kglm 3 kg/(m • s) W/(m' K) J/(kg • K)

Air - 10 1,326 1,661 x 10- 5 2,336 x 10-2

0 1,277 1,711 x 10- 5 2,416 x 10-2 1,008 x 103
10· 1,232 1,761 x 10- 5 2,496 x 10-2
20 1,189 1,811 x 10- 5 2,51'6 x 10-2

Argon -10 1,829 2,038 x 10-5 1,584 x 10-2

0 1,762 2,101 x'1-O- 5 1,634 x 10-2 0,519 x 103
10· 1,699 2,164 x 10- 5 1,684 x 10-2
20 1,640 2,228 x 10- 5 1,734 x 10-2

SF6·· -10 6,844 - ~

1,383 x 10- 5 1,119 x 10-2
0 6,602 1,421 x 10-5 1,197xlO-2 0,614 x 103
10· 6,360 1,459 x 10- 5 1,275 x 10- 2
20 6,118 1,497 x 10- 5 1,354 x 10-2

Krypton -10 3,832 2,260 x 10-5 0,842 x 10-2

0 3,690 2,330 x 10-5 0,870 x 10-2 0,245 x 103

~~):
10· 3,560 2,400 x 10-5 0,900 x 10-2
20 3,430 2,470 x 10-5 0,926 x 10-2

• Standardized boundary conditions

•• Sulphur hexafluoride

6.3 Infrared absorption of the gas

Some gases absorb infrared radiation in the 5 ~m to 50 ~m range.

Where the gas concerned is used in combination with a coating with corrected emissivity less
than 0,2 this effect is neglected because of the low density of the net infrared radiant flux.

For other cases the U value shall be measured according to EN 674, EN 675 or prEN 1098 if
the possible improvement is to be taken into account.
 Page 11
EN 673:1997

7 External and internal heat transfer coefficients

7.1 External heat transfer coefficient he

The external heat transfer coefficient he is a function of the wind speed near the glazing, the
emissivity and other climatic factors.

For ordinary vertical glass surfaces the value of he is standardised to 23 W/(m 2 . K) for the
purposes of comparison of glazing U values.

1
NOTE: The reciprocal - is 0,04 rrt .K I W expressed to two decimal figures
he

This procedure does not consider the improvement of the U value due to the presence of
externally exposed coated surfaces with an emissivity lower than 0,837.

For the he values of non-vertical surfaces reference is made to C.3.

7.2 Internal heat transfer coefficient hi

The internal heat transfer coefficient h; is given by the following formula:

(10)

where:
hr is the radiation conductance;
he is the convection conductance.
The radiation conductance for uncoated soda lime glass surfaces is 4,4 W / (m2 . K) .
If the internal surface of the glazing has a lower emissivity the radiation conductance is given
by:
4,4£
hr - - -
0,837 (11 )

where:
E is the corrected emissivity of the coated surface;
0,837 is the corrected emissivity of uncoated soda lime glass (see 6.1).

This is only applicable if there is no condensation on the coated surface. A procedure for
determining the corrected emissivity of a coating is given in Annex A.

The value of hc is 3,6 W/(m 2 • K) for free convection. Where a fan blown heater is situated
below or above a window this value will be larger if a current of air is blown over the window.

For vertical soda lime glass surfaces and free convection

hj = 4,4 + 3,6 = 8,0 W/(m 2 • K) (12)

which is standardised for the purposes of comparison of glazing U values.

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EN 673:1997

NOTE: The reciprocal _1 for soda lime glass surfaces is 0,13 m2 . KIW expressed
h I

to two decimal figures.

For the hi values of non-vertical surfaces reference is made to C.3.

7.3 Design values

For the application of glazing U values in building design the use of a declared value may not
always be sufficiently accurate. In special circumstances a design value shall be determined
using this standard. Design U values appropriate to the position of the glazing and the
environmental conditions shall be determined using the correct boundary values of hs, he
and hi which shall be stated.

NOTE: The application of the declared value of ~n external building element for
calculating heat losses is not strictly consistent on the basis of dry resultant
temperature in internally heated spaces. In most practical cases it is adequate, but
for glazing elements with relatively large stJrface area and particularly with internal
low emissivity surface, errors mayar,ise.

For heat loss calculations reference is made to e .4, C.5 or other relevant European
Standards.

8 Declared values: standardized boundary conditions

For all cases where U values are statecHor promotional purposes the standardized boundary
conditions defined below shall be used.

The standardized boundary conditions for declared values are:

, thermal resistivity of soda lime glass 1,Om-K!W

e corrected emissivity of uncoated soda lime and

borosilicate glass surface 0,837
,1T temperature difference between
bounding glass surfaces 15 K
Tm mean temperature of gas space 283K
Cl St efan-Boltzmann 's constant 5,67 x 10-8 w/{m2 - K4)

he external heat transfer coefficient

for uncoated soda lime glass surfaces 23 W/(m 2 - K)

hj internal heat transfer coefficient

for uncoated soda lime glass surfaces 8 w/(r02 . K)

A constant 0,035

n exponent 0,38

Standardized boundary conditions for the gas properties are given in table 1 for a
temperature of 1Doe (283K).
 Page 13
EN 673:1997

9 Expression of the results

9.1 Uvalues

U values shall be expressed in W/(m 2 . K) rounded to one decimal figure.

If the second decimal is five, it shall be rounded to the higher values .

. Example 1 : 1,53 becomes 1,5;

Example 2: 1,55 becomes 1,6;
Example 3: 1,549 becomes 1,5.

9.2 Emissivity

When emissivity is presented in promotional material it shall be given to two decimal figures
specifying whether it is normal or corrected emissivity.

9.3 Intermediate values

In computations, intermediate values shall not be rounded.

10 Test report

10.1 Information included in the test report •

The test report shall state the following elements.

10.2 Identification of the glazing

- total nominal thickness of the glazing (millimeters);

- nominal thickness of each glass pane (millimeters);
- nominal thickness of each material layer, if any (millimeters);
- nominal thickness of gas space(s) (millimeters) ;
- type Of gas filling;
- position of IR-reflecting coating, if any;
- inclination of glazing (angle to horizontal);
- any other condition diverging from the standardized boundary conditions.

10.3 Cross section of the glazing

A figure shall show the structure of the glazing (position and thickness of glass panes and of
material layers, position of coating(s), position and thickness of gas space(s), type of gas
filling).
The layers of glass and of other materials and the gas spaces shall be numbered starting
from the pane facing outside.

10.4 Results

- corrected emissivity of the coating, in the case of coatings which

modify the emissivity
- intemal heat transfer coefficient hj, in the case of coatings which
modify the emissivity [W/(m 2.K)]
- total thermal conductance of the glazing, ht [W/(m 2 .K)]
- U value of the glazing [W/(m 2.K)]
- hs, he and hi if used to calculate a design U value in which case the
expression "design U value" shall be used [W/(m 2.K)]