Space Between

Ernst Bachofner, Milamy Partners LLC

With the soaring cost of energy to heat and coolhomes, energy conscious glass and window manu-facturers search for technologies to reduce energyloss through window glass panes and frames. Atpresent, state-of-the-art insulation glass technolo-gies achieve, at best, U-values of 0.2 BTU/hrft2F0.One BTU, or British Thermal Unit, is equal to theamount of heat required to raise the temperature ofone pound of liquid water by 1 degree Fahrenheit atits maximum density per hour per square foot ofglass surface, expressed in Fahrenheit. To put thisinsulation value in perspective, this type of glassreduces temperature loss by a factor of 5 comparedto a single, uncoated glass pane as used in older win-dows. However, the most modern glass insulationstill is about five times worse than the insulation inmodern house walls or roofs. Insulating glassresearchers strive to achieve insulation value equal tobuilding walls and roofs. Scientific studies suggestthat might be achieved by using vacuum as the insu-lation media.

This article was originally published in Glass Magazine issue 01/2006.

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