It's heating up here in South Africa and we're all starting to sweat. We could turn the air-con on but do we really want to pay the high energy bills? Never mind how much we're adding to our carbon footprint. Luckily there is an alternative that is low cost and Eco-friendly: Low Energy Glass.
What is Low Energy Glass?
Low Energy Glass (or Low-E glass) is glass that minimizes the amount of infrared and UV light rays that penetrate the glass while still letting in as much visible light as it can. Low Energy Glass does this by having a microscopically thin coating that is both transparent and heat reflective.
There are two types of Low-E glass: Passive Low-E coatings and Solar Control Low-E coatings. Passive Low-E glass is best for extremely cold climates, so for South Africa's weather, Solar Control Low-E is the way to go.
The Benefits of Low Energy Glass
Low-E glass' thin coating comes with some great benefits to you and your home:
Better Climate Control in Your Home
Thanks to that microscopic coating that reflects heat Low-E glass can keep your house cool in the Summer and warm in the Winter. During the summer, Low-E glass reflects the summer’s heat out, while keeping cool inside air, in. And in winter, Low-E glass reflects the warm air back inside. Thanks to Low-E glass you can keep the temperature in your home stable, consistent, and comfortable.
Save Money on Your Energy Bills
Experts say that an estimated 70 percent of energy loss happens in windows and doors. And in windows themselves, about 90 percent of heat loss is through the glass. To make up for all this energy loss we usually turn to the air-con, fan, or heater. But we all know that trying to keep the temperature comfortable starts to add up in the Rands.
By installing Low-E glass in our homes we can reduce the cost of keeping our homes cool in the summer. Since Low-E glass keeps the temperature nice and cool in the summer, we don't have to turn so much to the air-con or fan to make things comfortable. Saving us electricity and, therefore, money.
Reduces Harmful UV Rays
Remember: Low-E glass doesn't just reflect solar heat, Low-E glass also reflects harmful UV rays. UV light rays don't only damage our bodies, UV light rays also damage the things we have inside our homes. Furniture, carpets, curtains, and floors all suffer from fading and sun damage. However, since Low-E glass keeps UV light rays out, it reduces our bodies and possessions exposure to the harmful rays, keeping them safe.
So Low-E glass can keep the heat out during summer while keeping the cool in, saves us money on our energy bill, and reduces the harmful UV rays coming into our homes. And it does all this while still making sure as much visible light can get in as is possible.
If you are thinking of upgrading your home to Low-E glass, contact Opus Glass today for a FREE quote.