The importance of windows in homes and other\nbuildings is undeniable. While windows offer an aesthetic appeal, they are not\njust pretty decorations for buildings. The openings serve various purposes,\nincluding enabling ventilation, proper lighting, and regulating temperature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Today, technology has completely transformed every facet of human life, and windows are not an exception. If you are a homeowner and have been following current home innovations, you most likely already have energy-efficient windows<\/a> installed. However, if your home is a bit old, you are probably still using traditional windows. These windows are inefficient and drastically increase your energy bills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your home was built recently but you still have to contend with astronomical energy bills, you were likely duped by the building company. Chances are that your home was installed with cheap, poor-quality windows. The U.S. Department of Energy puts the annual expenditure related to windows at about 25 percent of the cooling and heating costs<\/a> of the average American home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Installing energy-saving windows is just the\nfirst step towards greener, smarter, and affordable window technologies of the\nfuture that make life simpler and save you money. Here are some smart upcoming\nwindow technologies you should also check:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Vacuum insulating glazing technology has been\ncreating a buzz in the construction industry for a while now. While this\nconcept was developed decades ago, it\u2019s only recently that the technology has\nbeen fully developed and adopted for commercial use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The technology, which is still under research\nfor further improvements, is highly promising and can achieve excellent performance\nrequirements demanded by net-zero energy windows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n VIG panes offer high insulation of up to R =\n14, and far out-perform standard triple glazing windows. A VIG window\ninstallation will prove useful in very hot and very cold environments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another promising window technology allows\ntransformation of glasses from clear to opaque, and back to clear view with the\ntouch of a button. These glasses are being developed for residential purposes\nto cut down on cooling costs during summer. The windows are also designed to\noffer both an open, transparent view, and total privacy any time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The clear to opaque and back windows are\ntinted through electrochromic technology. The technology involves the use of\nelectrical voltage, which turns the glass opaque as well as reverts it back to\ntransparent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The first versions of the window technology\nhave been used for years to make tinted aeroplane windows. However, the\ntransition times were long, and the opacity was not strong enough. New\nprototypes are being developed to improve on the previous model.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For a while now, researchers have been working\nto recreate solar panel technology for windows. Of course, solar panels utilize\ndark materials to trap and convert sunlight into electricity. However, can\nthese panels use transparent materials to create energy?<\/p>\n\n\n\n This question has recently been answered, as researchers found a way to generate solar energy from clear panels using breakthrough technology<\/a>. Researchers have developed a different kind of solar concentrator, known as transparent luminescent solar concentrator, which can be used on any clear surface.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While the technology is still in its initial\nstage, it has a very promising future with potential applications replacement\nwindows, residential buildings, cars, and even smartphones. The technology\nhelps to generate energy without altering the physical attributes of a\nmaterial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n5 Smart Window Technologies for\nthe Future<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
1. \nVacuum Insulating Glazing (VIG)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
2. \n Clear to Opaque and Back<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
3. \nSolar Panel Windows<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
4. \nBird-Friendly Window Panels<\/h2>\n\n\n\n