Most everyone knows that air conditioning in buildings is not only expensive, but a huge problem due to the resulting carbon emissions.
The impact of the construction sector on greenhouse gas emissions greenhouse gases (GHG) globally! huge! If we also add that the world is experiencing the largest wave of urban growth in the history of the Humanity We have a good problem!
We only have to look at the next two graphs to see it clearer…
We need to build more to accommodate the new users who are coming to the cities. Directly! No we managed to meet the objectives of the Climate Agreement of Paris (Eliminate all GHG emissions from the sector constructive for the year 2040)
We know that the building envelope has a great impact on energy savings and, in particular, its weakest points: the holes!
Although the area they occupy may be small in a building, its insulation capacity is much worse than the surface of a normal wall, and small changes can lead to a energy savings of up to 25% for the entire building (See energy saving tips at home).
Many experts are advocating that improving the capacity insulation of the holes, that is, the carpentry in windows, including exterior roller blinds or awnings, and doors, is the most viable solution that exists to forcefully influence energy saving.
This is where the full windows prototype comes in. water supply WFG supported by the University of Loughborough whose results published in Science Direct are more than promising.
According to the director of the project, Dr. Gutai (Academic of the School of Architecture, Construction and Civil Engineering) has found a material that can save more energy that the technologies that are currently being using in the market – including carpentry with double and triple glazing - the water! It's that simple.
The keys to energy simulation practiced with the already built prototype:
The new window prototype demonstrates how the "water-filled glass" (Water-Filled Glass WFG) can revolutionize the design and thermal performance of buildings when used as part of a system wider heating or cooling.
The WFG system consists of a sheet of water trapped between a glass panel forming the window – the water is practically invisible – with a mechanism for move the water according to our needs.
Yeah! Two mini prototype buildings have been built with this system, in Hungary and Taiwan (To compare in different climates) that use the mechanism “glasses filled with water” as part of a larger mechanical system.
The WFG system involves the connection of the panels that form windows filled with water to a storage tank using hidden pipes in the walls, so that the fluid can circulate.
Allows homes to be cooled and heated by themselves, without the need for an additional power supply during most of the year.
When it's hot, buildings stay cool as they water absorbs external and internal heat; the hot water moves to the storage tank, which may be in the foundation or placed somewhere in the building.
The heat is stored in the tank and, if the temperature drops, can be recirculated back to walls for reheating the building using a monitoring system similar to that of the central heating (Alternatively, the heat stored can be used for hot water supply).
The main reason this process saves energy is because absorbing and pumping water requires much less energy than HVAC systems conventional (heating, ventilation and air conditioning).
The technology also has other benefits, including acoustics, less need for “shading” (methods used to prevent overheating and greenhouse effect), and there is no need to color the glass to improve energy efficiency according to hours, so it also has aesthetic benefits.
Dr. Gutai has also developed a more sophisticated system by adding a heat pump, which can heating and cooling the water depending on the season.
This new glazing system can turn the glass in a unique opportunity for the field of sustainable construction. It shows us that thinking holistically on buildings and their components leads to an environment built more efficient and sustainable.
Two other interesting articles that can add value, the new solar windows that are making their way into the market and the article on glazing in enclosures.
