Serious energy conservation efforts have to start with insulating exposed glass!
The State of Colorado will no longer include replacement windows in their home weatherization
program because the return on investment has proven to be nearly non-existent. Many other states
are likely to follow suit soon.
What do they know that you do not?
HeatSaver® provides Nine Times the insulation of Single Glazed Windows. Four
Times the insulation of both Double Glazed and High Performance Windows.
Where is your best investment?
Many of our shades have been in place and working well for over twenty years in both
residential and commercial applications. This is proven performance.
Simple, straightforward, serious energy conservation.
Forum for the Future and Arup gave a presentation recently on various energy conservation
measures undertaken in homes in and around the town of Bristol in the United Kingdom. They were
quite detailed and thorough in their research and data. Where do you think "high performance
glazing" fits in the picture? (Hint - you may need a magnifying glass, it's the wee small square on the right...)
No doubt the results shown in the slide above are why so many states in the U.S. are rethinking the
value of replacement windows. Independent research, like this, has shown that it simply isn't
worth the investment!
What is your best return on energy conservation investments?
What is the wisest choice you can make when looking to
reduce your heating and cooling expenses?
We estimate HeatSaver's® R19-Value to be 6.5. The graphs, charts
and comparisons here are based on that estimate. By the fall of
2010 we will have test results from the National Physical Laboratory
in the United Kingdom showing overall performance. At that time all
graphs and representations made will be adjusted accordingly.
Window to Wall Performance
Now you can clearly see where your energy conservation dollars will have the greatest impact!
HeatSaver® Thermal Shades.
Heat Gains and Losses with Typical Window Coverings
Energy losses through glass take place in four ways. Conduction, convection, radiation and
infiltration. All of these factors have to be addressed for true insulation performance. An effective
window insulation product must; 1) Seal on all four sides of your windows (conduction, convection
and infiltration) and 2) Incorporate a reflective film layer (radiation).
HeatSaver® addresses all four quite effectively.
Some people also believe that their heavy draperies work well in keeping the cold out.
That is a mistaken impression as the image below shows.
Thermosiphoning takes place when conventional draperies are used and is usually overlooked for being the serious energy loss culprit it is, although the physics and reasoning behind it are easy to understand.
It really is quite simple. Your floor registers are directly below your windows. The heat kicks on, warm air is funneled directly behind your curtains and up against the cold glass before it even enters the room. You've already lost some of the heat you're paying for!
Then when the heat turns off, your curtains provide another added benefit! The air behind your draperies cools and falls to the floor, drawing warm air from the ceiling down against cold glass, which then cools and falls to the floor. And the process continues to repeat itself...
If you're in a particularly hot climate, the same holds true, only the effect is just the opposite. Easily half of your air conditioning dollars are being lost against very hot glass...
When you're ready to get serious about energy losses through your
windows, there really is only one solution.
HeatSaver® Thermal Shades!