Dec 13 2007
A New Turn in Windows
One More Way To Make your Windows Efficient
Similar to the way you change your wardrobe each season, you can also change your windows…or, at least, you can pivot them.
As we discussed in our article ‘What’s Next in Windows?’ the low-E coating on windows allows sun to heat our homes in the winter and block heat from the sun in the summer. This, of course, requires different amounts of low-E coating.
Change of Season
In the summer, we want to block the sun out so that we don’t have to rely on the air conditioner to make our homes comfortable. This means that we want a window with a low-E coating which will reflect the sun away from our home. In the winter, however, the sun is a free source of heat so windows that allow for high solar heat gain are best.
Finding the most efficient windows has long been about accommodating all weather conditions. Transition metal switchable windows have addressed this issue as discussed in the article ‘What’s Next in Windows?,’ but what else is out there?
An Adjustable Window?
Dr. Heinz Kunert of KSD Fenster turned things around as early as 1990. He simply put the window glazing on a pivot. With this mechanism, the window can be positioned to reflect sun away from the home in the summer and positioned to allow for solar heat gain in the winter. Why haven’t we heard of these before?
Well, the company is based in Germany; however, they have US distributors according to the US “sister company” ECO-LOGICal Innovations. To learn more about these windows and where to buy them, visit:
I have never heard of them either. You only seem to hear about the big boys (Jen-Weld, Anderson, Pella). A pretty efficient concept though.
I would be curious as to feedback from anyone who owns them in the US. Windows are a very expensive part of a house and my experience the construction and the warranty in addition to be energy star rated are really important. Before buying any window, I strongly suggest you look at the warranty on new windows. Get the longest one and see what it covers. I have a sidelight which has failed and now I have to spend money to replace it and it is only 3 years old. Anna www.green-talk.com
I have new triple layer German windows from Innotech. They are 140 mph impact resistant (hurricane zone) and so far (one year) they have saved about $20 per month on electricity. They have a UV protection layer, but don’t know the kind. Do love them though–haven’t had to turn the heat on yet this year and it has gone below freezing at night.
Thanks Susan for the info–curious, what part of the country (or world for that matter) are you in? -GN