Windows and Energy Efficiency
We tend to put a lot of emphasis on ceiling and wall insulation and yet neglect to look at our window areas and the large amount of energy we lose through them: On an average home, 49% of heat loss and 87% of heat gain is through the glazing. An energy efficient window helps minimise the use of artificial heating and cooling in a home. The use of energy efficient Insulated Glass Units can reduce the heat transfer through the window by over 50%.
If standard clear glass is used in a building, it creates a weak point in the building envelope. We often refer to standard glazed windows as the thermal wound in a building envelope, this is due to standard glass readily transferring heat as it has no insulation properties.
Energy efficient glass (mainly insulated glass units) has been used in many countries world wide for many years. It has proven to be the only real solution to the insulation problem of windows.
Utilising energy efficient glass will give many benefits to a building. The comfort levels of the building will be superior to those glazed in standard glass; it will be significantly warmer in winter and cooler in summer. The loads on heating and cooling are dramatically reduced, allowing for downsizing heating and cooling units which reduces initial cost, the flow on effect is a reduction of energy use for the lifetime of the building.
An energy efficient building reduces the amount of greenhouse gases produced, contributing to the health of the environment for future generations.
The use of energy efficient glass products enables the design of buildings to have large areas of glass. There is nothing more appealing than a home or commercial building that has a large amount of natural light. Large window areas create a feeling of space and being one with the outdoors. This can be done without sacrificing the energy efficiency of the building, with the correct use of glass.
With the right combination of Insulated Glass Units, there is a solution for all applications. Insulation, solar heat gain reduction and solar heat gain can be achieved.
To assist in selecting an Australian Glass Group product, we have developed the following tables. These characteristics are calculated using LBL Windows 5.2 software, NFRC 100-2001 conditions, and are glass only data, there is no allowance for your frame.
Single Glazing
Insulglass
Insuglass Low E
Insulglass Max
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