Energy Efficient Glass
Energy-efficient glass is the unsung hero of the construction world. It helps reduce energy consumption by preventing heat from escaping, yet its impact is always overlooked.
Due to this, many project owners choose energy-efficient glazing over conventional glass.
In fact, Statista forecasts that the global market for energy-efficient glass will grow by 593% from 2016 to reach $17.8 billion in 2026.
As a result, here is everything you need to know about energy-efficient glass to help you understand why you should start using it for your windows, doors, conservatories, roof lights, or greenhouses.
Types of Energy-Efficient Glass
There are several types of energy-efficient glass, but the table below shows the most common.
| Types of energy-efficient glass | Brief Description |
| Low-emissivity (Low-e ) glass | Its coating helps restrict heat transmission by reflecting sunlight into a structure. It conserves energy by keeping indoors cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. |
| Solar Control glass | Reflects and absorbs some of the sunlight that enters the solar control glass. These glasses are either tinted, laminated, or coated. |
| Insulated glass | Comprises more than one glass pane separated by a spacer, creating an insulating air gap. |
Benefits of Energy-Efficient Glass
You must consider certified glass when choosing the right energy-efficient glazing for your project.
This indicates that the glass meets all the energy performance standards set, and therefore, you can enjoy the following benefits when you use them.
It helps conserve energy consumption by reducing the amount of heat lost during winter or absorbed during summer.
It improves your living comfort levels by ensuring your glass does not lose heat when you warm your home during winter.
It helps your HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) work efficiently without consuming too much energy.
It helps you reduce greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to a more sustainable future by helping conserve the environment.
Choosing an Energy-Efficient Glass
When choosing an energy-efficient glass, here are the factors you should always consider.
1. A Lower U-factor
The U-factor measures the heat transfer rate through the glass. Therefore a lower U-factor shows that glass has better insulation.
Also, you should check to see if the glass has a National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) label.
NFRC standards test the U-factor, air leakage, solar heat gain coefficient, and visible transmittance to give detailed energy performance information.
2. A Lower or Higher SHGC
Solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) measures the amount of solar radiation that passes through the glass.
A lower SHGC means less heat gain, which helps conserve energy during the summer.
A higher SHGC is perfect for areas that experience colder climates as it maximizes solar heat gain.
3. A Higher Visible Transmittance (VT)
VT, expressed between 0 and 1, measures the amount of visible light that passes through the glass.
A higher VT reduces the need for artificial light during the day, thus saving energy.
4. Light-to-Solar Gain (LSG)
This is the ratio between VT and SHGC. The rating shows the rate at which a glass transmits daylight while blocking heat gains.
So a higher LSG shows the glass transmits more light without adding up more heat, thus saving your energy costs during warm and hot climates.
Get a Professional for Energy-Efficient Glass Installation
Installing an energy-efficient glass requires an expert to ensure they do the job correctly and safely.
A professional glass installer has the expertise to use the right methods, like proper sealing for this type of glass.
Also, some of this glass, such as insulated glazing, is heavy and requires special tools and handling to safely install without breaking them.
Additionally, an expert glass installer like us knows the building code in Calgary. Thus we install energy-efficient glass that is compliant with local regulations.
Contact us today to book an appointment to install energy-efficient glass. We will provide you with a high-quality, long-lasting installation that will help conserve energy and save you on energy bills in the long run.
