About New Window Technology

New window technology offers benefits such as comfort, reduced energy costs and energy efficiency. New technology may use electricity, small voltages, gases or coatings. Some of these windows are already available on the market and some are still being developed.

One kind of new window technology is an argon or krypton gas fill. The gas fills the thermal breaks between glazing units and improves thermal performance. Both types of gases are non-toxic, clear and odorless. A progressive window technology is low-e coatings on gas filled windows which decrease harmful effects of the sun. Low-e coating and gas help keep drafts from coming into the room. This works best if windows are installed properly.

Electrochromic windows are part of a group of new technology called smart windows. A switch is flipped or pushed and changes the window from clear to different shades of darkness by a small voltage. These windows' optical and thermal properties are changed by electric field signals. Seven layers of materials are used to make electrochromic windows. Advantages include control over how much daylight and solar light comes through, reduction of glare and blockage of ultraviolet light.

New window technology also includes an improved solar window that generates up to four times the electricity of ordinary solar windows or photovoltaic glass units. The advantage of these windows is that they block extreme heat, so there’s no need to use tinting or window shades. This lowers energy costs considerably. The new Pythagoras solar windows can be used for windows, skylights and window curtain walls.