Nature.is

The Office – The Window

Windows release a lot of energy from the house. Well insulated, double glassed and even triple glassed windows end up by saving a lot of money because the energy that escapes through a window is of no use to anyone. This is why it is important to insulate windows thoroughly when choosing windows for new buildings. During their lifetime, in the house at least, well-insulated windows save up to their own cost and create savings for their owners. Well situated windows also save lighting and electricity.

Certain goods are not energy driven but they can nevertheless save energy. Windows are an example of such a product. Energy efficiency (also called cooling constant) of houses including windows is measured in so-called U-values, that is energy loss per square meter and the heat difference inside and outdoors is measured in Kelvins (W/m2 K).

Windows with aluminium frames are extremely unfriendly to the environment from an environmental standpoint because of the large amount of energy needed to produce aluminium. Natural resources are wasted. The aluminium is transported for long distances from the bauxite mines to the aluminium smelter in far-away countries. The product is then shipped once again to the producer of the window and finally to the consumer. After the house has been used the aluminium also creates problems in nature, for thousands of years.

We have to start thinking in this manner if we want environmentally friendly buildings to become a reality in this country. If the environmental effects are excluded from our way of thinking, we will not be facing up to the consequences of our actions, and at the same time we will be wasting valuable resources as well as our money.

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