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Windows That Heat

Carl Brahe, Certified Home Inspector, Certified Commercial Inspector

A Denver company, Radiant Glass Industries LLC (RGI), has introduced an innovative product: Power*e ™ Windows with built-in, low voltage radiant heating. RGI adapted common technology used to keep freezer glass in grocery stores from frosting to produce a new window option that solves many of the problems associated with traditional windows.

Windows are the source of the greatest heat loss in most buildings, as much as 50%. They provide about the same insulation value as a sheet of newspaper (R-1) for each glass pane and/or air gap in the window. Radiant heat windows solve that problem by turning the window itself into a room heater. The inner glass in a two pane system is heated to a preset temperature. The outer pane may be 30° F while the inner pane is 100° F. The inner pane will feel warm (a maximum of 115° F) but not hot. Ordinary electric heater controls are used set the inner temperature.

RGI claims their radiant heat windows are the most efficient electrical heating units on the market. The heat provided by radiant windows may sufficient to provide total room heating. Radiant windows can make a room feel more comfortable at lower temperatures than forced air heating requiring less energy use.

Radiant heating windows are like ordinary dual pane windows in most ways except that they have low voltage (50V DC) heating built-in. Glass windows radiate heat in a manner similar to light. Warmth is transmitted through the air to the surfaces in its path. The objects in the room act as a heat reservoir retaining warmth and re-radiating it to occupants and other room surfaces. 

Radiant heat is common. We use steam, hot water and electric heating elements in radiators, baseboard units and in floor piping. The advantage of using windows as a radiant heat source is the greater room area windows radiates to. Since the radiant area is greater the heat source can be cooler to produce the same comfort level with radiant heat windows compared to baseboard or radiator systems.

This also allow the use of low voltage DC power making it possible to heat directly from solar PV or wind/water generators. Windows heated with 120V AC are available from other companies. The use of low voltage makes this product safer, less expensive, more reliable and more efficient.

The manufacturer claims - Power*e™ Glass windows:

• stop building heat loss through window glass
• improve comfort by increasing the radiant heat in the interior space
• use comparable or less power than other conventional heating systems 
• reduce the size and need for other heating systems
• enable lower room temperatures by increasing the radiant heat in the interior
• eliminate condensation and fogging on windows
• insulate the interior space against outside heat during warmer months

This technology does open new possibilities for the use of glass and this new heating source in building. Radiant heat windows can be installed in new construction or retrofitted into existing buildings. These windows heat quickly enabling zoned heating and can be used in interior walls, architectural features, art work, cabinets and other places glass and heating appliances have not been used before. It may also provide an easy solution to problem heating areas.

Power*e ™ Glass windows are custom made and cost about twice as much as conventional windows. They look like ordinary windows. No heating elements are visible and wires hidden in the frame. Windows come in clear, tinted, patterned, opaque or other glass. Standard frames are used and can be made of wood, vinyl, fiberglass, metal or other materials. These windows are available from Accent Windows.

Testing at Kansas State University concluded that:

• Buildings and building perimeters will be more thermally comfortable with Power*e™ Glass windows than with other conventional heating systems. 
• Compared to other systems, these windows did not significantly increase energy consumption and in fact may significantly reduce energy consumption.
• The insulating and heating effects of the  windows thermal barrier combine to make  these windows 100% efficient.
• Theses windows stops 100% of conventional building heat loss through the heated windows. 
• Substantially all of the radiant energy heats the interior space - regardless of the outside temperature.
• The need for other heating systems is reduced or eliminated.

  

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