Insulating Glazing in a Warm Climate - Even More Important Than a Cold Climate

Narelle Skinner

There were 280 million square metres of insulating glass units produced globally in 2000. Approximately 80% of these were used in North America and Europe, predominantly in areas with cold climates. The use of insulating glass units in the warmer climates of Asia, South America and Africa is small by comparison. Even though the use of insulating glass units is increasing in Asia, the areas of highest use are the colder climate countries including Japan, Korea and northern China. There is a mentality of providing insulation against cold, but in tropical locations, the common solution is to turn up the thermostat on the air conditioning.

The purpose of insulating glass units, just as any form of insulation, is to reduce the effect of the external climate inside the building; in cold climates the aim is reduce infiltration of the cold, and hence maintain internal heated temperature and reduce the cost of heating; in hot climates the aim is to reduce heat coming in and hence reduce the cost of air conditioning. The interesting fact to note is that heating is far more efficient than air conditioning, hence the cost of heating is less that the cost air conditioning. Therefore, from a financial point of view, it is more important to use insulating glass units in a hot climate than in a cold climate.

The aim of this presentation is to discuss how the use of different glass and sealant types in insulating glazing can reduce heat transfer, while maximising light transmission, hence reducing energy consumption in hot climates.

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