SAGE Saint-Gobain, the world leader in providing innovation-building solutions, has developed an advanced dynamic tinted glass to optimize daylight in buildings. SageGlass is a smarter system compared to conventional sun controls such as; louvers, blinds and mechanical window shades. It is a glass for windows and skylights which can be electronically tinted and has a solar heat gain coefficient of 0.47 and visible light transmission of 62%.
The intensity of sunlight continues to vary with respect to time and weather conditions. Hence there is a need for a dynamic building system that responds to unstable environmental conditions and optimizes building energy efficiency; ensuring optimum comfort to the occupants.
Harnessing solar energy minimizes energy usage of buildings and achieves net zero energy designs. Conventional and mechanical dynamic shading systems such as; venetian blinds, double skin curtain walls and automated exterior louvers, are a dynamic solution to this energy management problem. Static mechanical systems such as Brise-soleil, also offer a relatively inexpensive solution for this problem, however; they are not efficient enough to control direct sunlight glare from a lower angle of the sun.
Electronically tintable glass - or electrochromic glass - is an efficient alternative solution for providing dynamic solar control, which regulates solar heat gain coefficient and visible light transmission through the touch of a button or command.
One of the significant implementations of the SageGlass system is in the Province of Utrecht in the Netherlands, which was previously unsuitable for audio-visual presentations because of the glare caused by the out-of-reach skylight.
In order to solve sun glare and heat gain problems, SageGlass was installed beneath the existing skylight. SageGlass can brighten or clear the daylight and outdoor views of the building by controlling the solar rays.
About 32 SageGlass skylights were fixed to provide four zones of sun control with the push of a button and in doing so; ensuring energy efficiency benefits and reducing the building's need for HVAC.
Therefore, installation of SageGlass has enabled the Provincial House to be used as a multi-functional place for presentations, videos and as conference rooms.
Electronically tintable glass - or electrochromic glass - is an efficient alternative solution for providing dynamic solar control, which regulates solar heat gain coefficient and visible light transmission through the touch of a button or command.
One of the significant implementations of the SageGlass system is in the Province of Utrecht in the Netherlands, which was previously unsuitable for audio-visual presentations because of the glare caused by the out-of-reach skylight.
In order to solve sun glare and heat gain problems, SageGlass was installed beneath the existing skylight. SageGlass can brighten or clear the daylight and outdoor views of the building by controlling the solar rays.
About 32 SageGlass skylights were fixed to provide four zones of sun control with the push of a button and in doing so; ensuring energy efficiency benefits and reducing the building's need for HVAC.
Therefore, installation of SageGlass has enabled the Provincial House to be used as a multi-functional place for presentations, videos and as conference rooms.
Energy efficiency is one of the key benefits of dynamic SageGlass. It enables the user to control the level of heat gain and sunlight thereby reducing overall energy loads. As a result, the energy usage of the building can be environmentally controlled with smaller HVAC needs. However, day-lighting also ensures an eco-friendly alternative to conventional sun control systems.
Costs of Turning Your Home Solar
SageGlass also offers a high performance design alternative when compared to mechanical shading systems, with no moving parts. It has the potential to block sun glare whilst ensuring the outside view at the same time - unlike mechanical systems. It can be operated under all weather conditions and requires much less maintenance.
In addition, electronically tintable glass will evolve as a best solution in terms of price and performance and as a result triggering its market value in a way similar to the development of other low energy products.
Any kind of technology that can improve energy efficiency is going to be sought after in the future. The great thing about this technology is that it can be used right away. I can really see this technology being used in everyday life with SageGlass being one of those revolutionary technologies that we will all wonder 'how we did without it?
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