Energy Saving Low-e Windows

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/energy-saving-low-e-windows.html

posted by Annie B. Bond Apr 13, 1999 1:18 pm

filed under: Crafts & Design, Materials & Architecture, Reduce, Recycle & Reuse

Excerpted from Real Goods Solar Living Source Book,edited by Doug Pratt and executive editor John Schaeffer.

The biggest news in window technology is “low-e” films for low-emissivity. These thin metal coatings allow the shortwave radiation of solar energy to pass in, but block most of the long-wave thermal energy tying to get back out.

Low-e films block most solar heat gain while transmitting most visible light. Windows treated with low-e film help in both the winter and summer, with little heat leakage coming inside on a hot summer day, or leaking outside in winter.

A low-e coating is virtually invisible from the inside, but most brands tend to give windows a semi-mirror appearance from the outside.

Low-e windows are available ready-made from the factory, where the thin plastic film with the metal coating is suspended between the glass panes, or, low-e films can be applied to existing windows.

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The Real Goods Solar Living Sourcebook

The Sourcebook remains the best introduction to energy-efficient technology for common folks.
-Whole Earth Review

From novices to pros, this book explains renewable energy and efficient building practices. Great reference to start design and cost estimation from each section. One of the best features of this book is the addition of the National Electric Code for RE systems. It's possible to pick a building material to build a house, design a solar electric system, decide on appliances, determine the use of a greywater system, and more from 562 pages. No more looking up pages on the net!buy now

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Apr 8, 2008 2:52 AM

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Nicolas LaBarre says
Dec 8, 2007 3:25 PM

I own a glass business and I installed low-e windows on the front of my house which is in the sun.

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Excerpted from the Real Goods Solar Living Source Book, edited by Doug Pratt and executive editor John Schaeffer.Copyright (c) 1999, Real Goods. Reprinted by permsision of Chelsea Green Publishing Company and Real Goods.

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