Thermochromic windows: A breakthrough in energy efficiency
American engineers from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) have developed modern thermochromic windows based on perovskite materials, which significantly increase building energy efficiency. This innovative solution aims to reduce energy consumption, lower operational costs, and decrease carbon dioxide emissions.
First, let's look at two important statistics. Buildings account for about 40% of global energy consumption, mainly due to winter heating and summer air conditioning. Additionally, energy loss due to windows accounts for up to 30% of the energy needed for building thermoregulation. Windows allow excessive heat entry in summer and heat escape in winter.
To address these issues, scientists have been working for years on solutions to reduce these losses. One such solution was windows coated with an infrared-responsive layer. Engineers seeking better ways to save energy have focused on thermochromic windows. These windows use materials that change their properties based on the ambient temperature.
How can perovskite windows reduce bills?
Thermochromic windows made from perovskites operate such that they can transition from a fully transparent state to reflecting sunlight. This can significantly improve the energy efficiency of buildings, and reduce heating and cooling costs, promoting the maintenance of the proper indoor temperature.
By placing a perovskite layer between two panes of glass, these windows have the ability to adapt to thermal conditions. In summer, they reduce the amount of heat entering the interior, and in winter, they prevent its escape. As a result, less heating and air conditioning is needed, leading to energy and monetary savings.
This is a real innovation in construction
This solution was implemented with financial support from the U.S. Department of Energy, and its effectiveness was tested in various climate zones across the United States. The greatest energy savings were recorded in the colder regions of the country.
Interestingly, the more windows a building has relative to wall area, the greater the benefits such windows can provide. All this information can be found in the detailed research report published by Advanced Energy Materials.
The scientists emphasize in the introduction to the report that "metal-halide perovskite thermochromic windows present a significant opportunity to reduce the energy consumption of buildings," which is particularly important given the growing popularity of designing buildings with increasingly larger glazing areas.
