Glass with super thermal insulation properties. An important element in the fight to reduce heat consumption in buildings

Abstract

The application of heat-insulating glasses gives rise to the preservation of fossil energy and thus represents an important contribution for energy savings. Since many years the glass industry provides highly efficient insulating glass systems with low U values as well as with various solar transmissions. These systems have a strong impact on an architecture which cares for the aspect of ecology. The glass industry is well-prepared with the heat-insulating glasses to meet the pending regulations for heating of buildings. These new glass products have been introduced already. Furthermore, the glass industry is prepared to adjust to the capacity requirements as a consequence of further standardization by providing neutral, highly transparent, coated insulating glasses. In particular the paper deals with the solar contribution to the heating of buildings, the state of art in the manufacturing of heat-insulating glasses with low-emissivity coatings and gas filling, and the influence of the window on the heat requirement of buildings.