According to foreign media New Atlas, windows are undoubtedly a challenge in maintaining energy efficiency in buildings. It is with this problem in mind that British scientists have created a new type of window-a window filled with water. There are two major problems with traditional windows. First, most windows let heat out in cold weather, causing the building's stove to run more frequently. Another problem is that in hot weather, they allow sunlight to enter and generate heat, causing the air conditioner to start.
Dr. Matyas Gutai, a lecturer in architecture at Loughborough University, believes that his "water-filled glass" (WFG) windows can solve these limitations. Each window contains water and is sealed between two sheets of glass. When sunlight passes through the glass, it heats the water, so that the room itself is not as hot as anywhere else. Once the temperature is high enough, the water heated by the sun will be drawn out of the window and transported to the water storage tank in other parts of the building through the pipes on the wall. At the same time, the cooled water is also pumped into WFG to replace the pumped water.
When the outdoor temperature drops in the future, the stored warm water will be drawn back from the tank to the pipes, radiating heat through the walls to warm the room. In addition, these warm water can also be used in the faucet in the building, reducing the need to operate the water heater. Although it takes some electricity to pump water back and forth, Gutai claims that his setup still consumes much less energy than the heating system and air conditioner required to maintain the same room temperature under the same conditions.
In fact, according to computer simulations, it is estimated that the energy consumption of a building equipped with WFG is 72% lower than that of similar buildings equipped with double glazing and traditional heating systems. The energy consumption of buildings with triple-glazed windows is reduced to 61%.
Gutai said that in the sub-zero climatic conditions in winter, you can prevent the water from freezing by adding an extra glass plate sealed with an argon insulating layer. He added that the sun and the heat in the room should also help keep the water from freezing, but if all else fails, if the temperature is too low, an automatic system can draw all the water out of the window.
In addition, since the sealing system does not allow oxygen or microorganisms to enter, no algae will grow on the glass. In addition, unlike other solar thermal systems, WFG does not require external sunshades such as blinds, nor does it need to color the windows. More importantly, it is said that the sound insulation effect of this water injection glass is very good.
"Glass is currently a cumbersome building because it affects energy consumption, thermal comfort, acoustics, etc." Gutai said. "WFG has changed this model and turned glass into an opportunity for sustainable architecture. It shows us the overall thinking about buildings and building components, which can lead to a more efficient and sustainable built environment."
His latest research was carried out in collaboration with Dr. Abolfazl Kheybari of Kaiserslautern University in Germany. Related papers were recently published in the journal Energy and Architecture.
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