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Low-E insulating glass is an energy-saver. Promoting its use will help cut CO2 emissions.
Up to 90 million tonnes of CO2 emissions could be saved annually by 2020 if all Europe’s buildings (existing and new residential and non-residential buildings) were fitted with double-glazed Low-E insulating glass units. An additional 7 million tonnes of CO2 emissions could be cut thanks to the greater use of triple-glazed Low-E units for new buildings, where appropriate (i.e. in cooler northern regions).
EU leaders confirmed the need to save annually around 300 million tonnes of CO2 from buildings by 2020. Extensive use of Low-E insultating glass units could achieve as much as one third of the EU’s emissions targets for buildings.
The potential for Low-E glass to cut CO2 emissions from buildings has been analysed by the Dutch scientific institute TNO in a study done for Glass For Europe (see below).
How is Low-E glass a net contributor of energy in buildings ?
Low-E glass is a hi-tech product which includes a microscopically thin coating that reflects heat radiation back into a room, thereby significantly reducing heat loss through the window. At the same time it allows large amounts of solar energy to enter the building, thereby helping to heat it passively. In this sense, Low-E glass is a net contributor of energy in buildings.
Low-E glass considerably increases the energy saving properties of windows compared to “basic” double glazing. Low-E glass units
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Reduce heat loss and allows passive solar heat gain
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Reduce energy consumption required to heat a building
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Reduce energy related CO2 emissions
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Help to reduce heating bills
Low-E glass is a sustainable and wise investment for Europe
Low-E glazing technology exists today and is ready to use.
Energy savings from the installation of Low-E insulating glazing far outweight the energy consumed in manufacturing the glass. With architectural glass industry emissions in Europe estimated to be in the region of four to five million tonnes of CO2 per year*, the potential savings from the increased use of Low-E insulating glass unites exceed the manufacturing emissions considerably.
The investment in new windows will be paid back in a matter of years in reduced heating costs. In addition, EU and Member States authorities can help and provide incentives to the retrofitting of windows.
What can policy-makers do to cut CO2 emissions?
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Encourage and, where necessary, require the use of double and triple-glazed Low-E insulating glass units in national building regulations for new construction.
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Encourage or require retrofitting of existing buildings with Low-E insulating glass units by fiscal or legislative means.
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Provide economic and fiscal incentives to both users and manufacturers of Low-E insulating glazing to promote better market uptake of these energy-saving products.
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Organise information and communication campaigns on the benefits of using Low-E insulating glazing.
Please, check the full study and accompanying brochure and you will understand why we believe that
"European buildings need new windows!"
Brochure about the study (pdf):
Low-E Insulating Glass for Energy-Efficient Buildings (Printed copies of this brochure in English are available on request from the Glass For Europe secretariat. Electronic copies in languages other than English are also available.)
Technical Summary of the study (pdf):
The technical summary of the study (28 pages) is available on request from Glass For Europe. Please contact the secretariat.
* "Energy and Environmental Benefits from Advcanced double-glazing in EU buildings", March 2005, page 11, GEPVP.
