Optimal Glazing For Optimal Energy Savings

Denis Ramboux

Over 40% of all energy consumed in the EU is due to buildings. Making new and existing buildings as energy efficient as possible is therefore an essential topic in any policy against global warming or energetic dependence. Several independent studies (available on www.glassforeurope.com) have underlined that between 105 and 182 million tons of CO2 could be saved annually with a coherent and ambitious regulation on glass usage in buildings. This represents almost 25% of the total EU CO2 savings targets for 2020!

Bearing this in mind, two major actions are undertaken by the European flat glass manufacturers:

• New and more efficient products : the new generations of triple glazing and/or solar control glass are certainly a cornerstone in the European quest for energy efficiency. Several independent studies (IFT-Rosenheim, TNO…) contracted by Glass for Europe or AGC have highlighted the highly positive impacts of these new products in energy efficiency.

• Better communications for the end consumer : to ensure that these products are used to their best advantage, Glass for Europe supports the introduction of an energy labelling system for windows in the EU, which would take into account the different
climatic regions.

This paper will focus on the environmental benefits of using these new products and why the EU should introduce an energy labelling system in the EU.

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The Authors

Denis Ramboux Glaverbel • Denis Ramboux is the Marketing Manager of AGC Flat Glass Europe for all raw glass and processed glass. • He has been working in the glass industry for the past 6 years, starting in India than in E... Read more