Measuring Gas Concentration of Insulating Glasses for Improved Energy Efficiency
Buildings account for 40% of global energy consumption, making them a crucial component for creating a more sustainable environment. As such, it is important for construction companies to consider energy-efficient building materials, including windows, which account for around 40% of energy loss in buildings. This is where insulating glass units (IGUs) come in. IGUs are made by sandwiching a layer of insulating material, typically air or gas, between two or more layers of glass. They help reduce the transfer of heat between the inside and outside of a building, resulting in energy savings and improved thermal comfort.
The gas fill in IGUs plays a significant role in their insulating performance, and it can be enhanced by using noble gases and optimizing the cavity size. Measuring the gas concentration of insulating glasses has become more important than ever, as it contributes to the energy efficiency of the IGUs. Sparklike Oy, a leading provider of non-destructive testing devices for IGUs, highlights the importance and benefits of monitoring the gas concentration inside IGUs to ensure they meet country-specific regulations and standards.
Combining IGUs with low emissivity (Low-E) coatings, which reflect infrared radiation, is a common strategy for achieving energy efficiency in modern building design. Window manufacturers can create a high-performance glazing system that offers both thermal insulation and solar control. By using low-E coatings with IGUs, heating and cooling loads can be reduced, indoor comfort can be improved, and energy bills can be lowered. With a low-E IGU of 90% argon gas-fill, the window’s insulating value can be improved by up to 16% compared to air-filled, and up to 27% for krypton-filled.
Sparklike’s non-destructive testing devices, including the Sparklike Laser Portable, can measure the gas concentration inside double and triple glazed IGUs with coating or laminations without breaking the glass. Repeating the measurement on the installed window units is necessary to ensure the IGUs are not leaking, which negatively affects their energy efficiency.
In conclusion, choosing the right windows is essential for improving energy efficiency in buildings. IGUs filled with noble gases, such as argon or krypton, and combined with low-E coatings offer a high-performance glazing system that reduces energy loss and improves indoor comfort. Monitoring the gas concentration inside IGUs is important for meeting country-specific regulations and standards, ensuring product quality, receiving cost savings, and improving environmental performance. Contact Sparklike to learn more about their non-destructive testing devices for IGUs.
References used:
https://glassforeurope.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/flat-glass-climate-neutral-europe.pdf
https://glassed.vitroglazings.com/topics/pro-cons-of-gas-filled-insulating-glass-units
https://www.windowanddoor.com/article/gas-fill-101-gas-fill-options-igus
Source: By Jarno Hartikainen | Sparklike Oy with additional information added by GlassBalkan
