Smart windows could save 5% of total US energy budget

A team of scientists at the US Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) are trying to develop a new generation of smart or dynamic windows that could achieve just this.Buildings consume around 40% of the country’s total energy, with one-tenth of that going out the window – leaking heat out on cool days and allowing heating from the sun on warm days.But installing highly insulating, colour-changing windows could reduce annual building energy use by one-eighth – or 5% of the US total energy budget, the researchers have calculated.Smart or electrochromic windows have a thin layer of an ion-conducing material deposited on the outside pane, separated by electrode layers.Read the full news.Widespread installation of ‘smart’ windows that change colour to moderate internal temperatures and lighting could save around 5% of the total US energy budget, claim researchers.

A team of scientists at the US Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) are trying to develop a new generation of smart or dynamic windows that could achieve just this.

Buildings consume around 40% of the country’s total energy, with one-tenth of that going out the window – leaking heat out on cool days and allowing heating from the sun on warm days.

But installing highly insulating, colour-changing windows could reduce annual building energy use by one-eighth – or 5% of the US total energy budget, the researchers have calculated.

Smart or electrochromic windows have a thin layer of an ion-conducing material deposited on the outside pane, separated by electrode layers.

Read the full news.