Temperature differentials across a window, particularly with cold
exterior environments in residential buildings, can lead to significant
energy losses. Currently available low-emissivity coatings, gas-fills,
and insulating frames provide significant energy savings over typical
single or double glazed products. The EWC
website provides information
on how double glazed low-e gas-filled windows work as well as
information on commercially available superwindows (three layer,
multiple low-e coatings, high performance gas-fills).
The next generation of highly insulating window systems will benefit
from incremental improvements being made to current components (i.e.
more insulating spacers and frame materials/designs, low-e coatings with
improved performance properties). LBNL uses its experimental facilities
and software tools to collaborate with window and glass industry
representatives to better understand the impacts of new components on
overall product performance.
In the long run, highly insulating windows will also benefit from
emerging technologies such as vacuum windows, aerogel, and transparent
insulations. Windows group researchers provide technical support to
other researchers working on these technologies.