Solar control glazing – the key to reducing CO2 emissions?

Date: 16 June 2015

In a recent issue of Glass and Glazing Products, our project specification manager, Tim Fagg, explores how solar control glazing can help to tackle CO2 emissions…    With demand for commercial and domestic buildings to be both comfortable and productive places to live and work, it’s no surprise that heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems (HVAC) are considered a must in most public buildings.

Yet they are one of the biggest contributors to energy bills and property maintenance costs, not to mention carbon footprint.

Screen Shot 2015-06-12 at 15.06.14

How can solar control glazing help?

Not only does solar control glazing help to improve building performance by reducing reliance on air-conditioning systems while still keeping the internal space cool, it can also be given low-emissivity properties to help control internal temperatures all year round. Such products can make a huge impact when it comes to improving carbon footprint and reducing CO2 emissions.

The Pilkington Suncool™ range comprises our highest performing off-line coated solar control and low-emissivity glass products, and with the growing use of glass in structural architecture, products of this type can help to minimise capital outlay and HVAC running costs, as well as reducing a building’s carbon emissions the whole year round.

According to a recent Glass for Europe report, greater use of solar control glass in residential and non-residential buildings in the EU could save up to 85 million tonnes of CO2 per year. That’s equivalent to the annual greenhouse gas emissions of 17 million cars!

What’s next?

Although there’s been a significant increase in the demand for solar control glass over the past few years, there’s still more to be done if the EU is to meet its CO2 emissions targets by 2020.

Emissions could be reduced by thousands of tonnes each year if every building using a HVAC system had high performance glazing. The introduction of specific measures, such as making it mandatory to retrofit commercial buildings with solar control glass, would significantly reduce the number of inefficient properties and help meet those EU targets, which can only be a good thing.

The full article can be accessed here.

600450 Solar control glazing – the key to reducing CO2 emissions? glassonweb.com

Others also read

The Parliament’s draft resolution points out the difficulties facing energy intensive sectors, primarily high energy prices and decarbonisation challenges and calls for rapid action on energy prices, permitting, trade defence and carbon leakage.
Successful industrial fuel switching trials advance energy efficiency, cut carbon emissions, and support the UK's net-zero transition with sustainable alternatives.
LiSEC is pleased to announce that the company has received the bronze medal from EcoVadis for outstanding sustainability performance.
The European Commission has launched an Industrial Action Plan to strengthen the automotive sector’s competitiveness, resilience, and sustainability.
A wide variety of advanced commercial buildings was on display as Guardian Glass NA honored the glaziers and fabricators who made them possible at its 8th annual Commercial Project Awards event on March 3 in Las Vegas.
Maltha Glass Recycling, a leading European recycler and Renewi subsidiary, announces a successful pilot test with Saint-Gobain.

Add new comment

From industry

52 Corniche El-Nil, AL-SHARIFAIN Tower 10th Floor,
Maadi,
Cairo Governorate
11728
Egypt

NEWS RELATED PRODUCTS

Guardian Glass Europe
Guardian Glass Europe
Glas Trösch Holding AG