Solar pumping is a natural condition in window 11 iso download caused by the heat of the sun and cooling of the night. Dual paned or thermopane windows are constructed with two panels of glass separated by a spacer bar (normally silver, the bar that runs around the perimeter of the window) and then sealed together with a sealant. Think of the spacer bar as a square hollow bar that is filled with a desiccant. The desiccant is very similar to the little white beads in the packet, when you buy new shoes. In general the cavity of the window has only ambient (outside) air when it is manufactured, and the desiccant is used in the spacer bar to soak up any moisture that is in the air when the glass panels are sealed together.
Harmful Effects of the Sun
During warm seasons, sunshine has the greatest effect on the longevity of the windows seal. As the sun penetrates the glass, it heats the air in the windows cavity. When air is heated it expands and pushes the two panels of glass outward. It may not be noticeable to the homeowner but the glass does expand in warm weather. When the sun goes down and the outside temperatures cool, so does the air within the cavity of the window. Cool air naturally contracts and when this air in the window cavity contracts it draws the panels of glass inward. This heating and cooling, expanding and contracting cycle, on the window happens repeatedly, until eventually the seal weakens causing a hole to develop.
Windows Seal is eventually is compromised
When the seal breaks, the nightly cooling and contracting of the glass panels, now also draws in moist evening air, through the newly formed hole in the seal. For a period of time, this new moist air being drawn into the window is absorbed by the desiccant in the spacer bar. But eventually, the desiccant will become saturated and no longer capable of any more moisture absorption. When this happens the homeowner will see a small fog spot inside the window cavity. This moist air will continue to increase and eventually cause permanent damage to the inside of the glass.
Other Factors influencing Solar Pumping
Screens on the outside of windows can shield the suns ability to heat the cavity. This will, in turn, reduce the effects of solar pumping.
Window blinds will increase the heat inside the windows cavity. If window blinds are too close to the windows they will reflect the sun back out through the window, heating the window cavity, and increasing the effects of solar pumping. Blinds also don’t allow for the heat to dissipate off of the interior piece of glass.
Window film on the inside of the homes windows can be detrimental to the lifespan of the window seals. Many window manufactures will void warrantees if window film is used on the inside of the home. Window film reflects the suns energy back out through the glass, greatly increasing the temperature and pressure inside the window cavity. In some situations window film has caused the panels of glass to break on hot summer days.
The location of the windows relative to the sun will influence solar pumping. Windows with the most exposure to the sun are more susceptible to solar pumping. Southerly facing windows, those exposed the longest and most directly to the sun’s rays, are most susceptible to the adverse effects of solar pumping.
Seal Failure
The first sign of seal failure in a window is a foggy area inside the window cavity. At this point, the desiccant inside the spacer bar is totally saturated with moisture and the window starts to show foggy areas inside the window cavity. During this period the window can still be repaired. The process involves drilling into the outside of the glass with very small holes in the top and bottom of the window. A series of cleaning solution, rinsing agent and drying solution are put into the top hole and vacuumed out through the bottom hole. To complete the process a small clear microvent is placed over the hole, which allows for the window to expel the remaining moisture within the spacer bar. Since the window is now equalized with the outside air, solar pumping is no longer an issue.
Conclusion
Solar pumping is a normal occurrence in thermopane windows and contributes to premature seal failure. When the window seal finally fails and the homeowner begins to see moisture in the window cavity, it can still be repaired, and restored to nearly new clarity. This repair is done from the outside of the home without removing the window and generally cost less than half of what a new thermopane will cost.
