ENERGY
LOOKING
THROUGH THE
PROBLEM OF
WINDOWS?
Windows contribute to a building’s carbon footprint – yet there is a simple remedy available.
ention energy loss and insulation, heating controls, etc. But blinds are closed, supplementary lighting
M
windows in the same comparatively little attention is paid to is switched on which uses energy and
sentence and people what happens in the warmer months when adds to the building’s carbon footprint.
naturally think about the sun is shining. Glare is a bigger problem than you
winter and heat loss So what does happen? About 90% of might think with 75% of people that work
through glass. However, this article sunlight travels through glass in windows on computers suffering from some kind of
focuses on energy wastage in summer causing problems with glare on screens strain – and the largest contributor to this
and it also touches on important areas of and heat gain. The temperature inside is glare. Add heat gain and you have an
‘daylighting’ and the work/study buildings increases and people switch on environmental cocktail that affects
environment. cooling devices, which wastes energy. performance as borne out by a study
Glass is an amazing material. It’s Some newer buildings have the benefit of in the USA which registered a reduction
been with us since the Mesopotamians air-conditioning which, because it derives in productivity of 40% at 75°F compared
invented it about 5,000 years ago. It its energy from fossil fuels, and because it to 68°F.
improves our outlook, lifts our spirits and, is one of the least energy-efficient ways of The net result is high levels of energy
more than any other building fabric, controlling temperature, increases the are used in summer with a negative affect
fashions the way we live and work. There building’s carbon footprint. on carbon footprint. Ironically, a lot of this
are billions of panes of it and yet it can be People close blinds to avoid the sun’s wastage could be limited by applying a
the most inefficient building material when direct heat. However, though closing very simple principle: keep the heat and
it comes to energy loss. blinds takes away the sensation, the heat glare out of the building in the first place.
We know that heating and cooling is still entering the room and internal The installation of Solar Control Window
represents about 65% of the energy temperatures will rise. According to the Film filters out up to 75% of the heat and
consumed by buildings. A lot of focus and Building Research Establishment (BRE) glare. Modern high-technology window
resource goes into improving the solar gains in a glazed building can films exist which can measurably reduce
performance of buildings in winter with account for ten times the heat generated transmitted heat and glare and yet have
by equipment or lighting. very high levels of visible light
In one hour a person transmission. The designer might be
gives of about 8W of interested to know that solar control
heat energy per square window films can filter out higher levels of
metre, similar to a heat and glare than their expensive glass
computer, whereas a counterparts.
window representing Window film is a convenient solution
40% of wall space on a as it can be installed on selective windows
South facing elevation with little disruption to activity. And right
can transmit 63W of heat from the start it improves the work/study
to a square meter of environment and neutralises the
floor space. organisation’s carbon footprint.
Closing blinds also The main contractor for window film
affects the natural is Durable Limited which is the OGC
daylight which is so Buying Solutions framework supplier to the
essential to aid the work public sector.
and study process as This article has focused on summer –
illustrated by research but certain window films also have
undertaken by Hershong insulation properties that reduce up to
Mahone Group which 30% of heat loss in the winter. Overall,
showed that a group of it is a cost-effective solution that improves
people learning under the work and study environment, makes
most natural daylight it safer, increases productivity and is
progressed 20% faster carbon efficient.
than those subjected to Call Durable on 0118 989 5200 or
the least daylight. visit www.theproblemwithwindows.co.uk
Solar control window film can make a significant difference to internal
Very often when for more information.
temperatures reducing the need for energy consuming cooling devices
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SUSTAINABLE FM | APRIL 2008
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