Transparent Heat Mirrors for Passive Solar Heating Applications

Recent progress in the development of transparent heat mirror coatings for energy-efficient windows and passive solar applications is reviewed. It appears that cost-efficient coatings deposited on glass and plastic may be available to window manufacturers and homeowners in the next one to three years. Depending upon the specific application, savings of 25-75% may be achieved. Heat mirror performance characteristics, product configuration, application limitations, cost benefit analysis and commercialization options are discussed.