So, this is just my personal opinion, so take it as you may. The window system shown on the video has the potential to revolutionize passive solar design. Many water window systems have been built over the years, some with great success while others had limited results. None of the systems I have seen have had the features designed into this product. The ability to integrate this into existing homes, commercial buildings and new construction, with the appearance of beautiful window. If I didn't tell there was water in it you most likely wouldn't know it. The optical clarity of the window is astounding given that there are 4 panes of glass along with 4" of water within it. The tinting of the window is designed that the water captures a large portion of the solar energy, while reducing the glare and UV rays harmful to interior finishes and furniture. The exterior shades, not yet installed are designed to control the energy at any given time of the day, month or year. They will be motorized and controlled by a room thermostat to prevent overheating of the system, with the ability to change the room temperature with the simple setting of a thermostat. Although with the motorized shading, this is not a true passive solar system, I think it is the best of both worlds. A great mix of simple thermal mass, solar control, and beauty make this a truly revolutionary innovation in solar design. stay tuned I will be posting more videos demonstrating the performance of the system as the home is constructed, hopefully with some better lighting. When this video was shot it was raining outside. We had rain every day for the 9 days prior to the open house, some with a lot, some with a little.
But, when the day of the solar tour was held last Saturday the sun shined, although it was cold the window system heated up to 84 degrees F, the room temperature within the house was 65 degrees F, as we still have no other windows or doors on the house. The water continued to warm over the day and as the temperature dropped late in the afternoon you could feel the radiant heat coming off of the window. I don't know about you, but when the sun isn't shining and the temperature is 60 degrees, I have never felt a warm window that you could actually see through.
This product is patented by Wendell Colson
Thanks Tom Pittsley
ecobuilder@aol.com
www.eebt.org
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In your video you discuss having an exterior shade to prevent overheating of the Thermal Mass Window System.
ReplyDeleteCould you use in place of the shade use an electrochromic (i.e. Smart Window) technology such as SageGlass to control the thermal build up?
Just like the shades, the interior room temperature could control the darkening of the window while leaving some form of transparency throughout the day.
Thanks for referring a nice video ... SSK from newlookconstruction and Bison home foundation
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ReplyDeleteThese seem like a great type of window due to their heat retention. I'm a Farmers Branch window tinter, and I've actually received quite a few calls from homeowners with thermal windows looking for window tinting to deflect UV rays. Great windows, love working with them.
ReplyDeleteGreat post Tom. It looks like you do a great job with home construction, something that my company specializes in as well. In addition to general construction in South Boston we also do quite a bit of roofing in South Boston for local residents. Hope you'll take a close look at our roofing services the next time you or anyone else is in need for roofing assistance in the area.
ReplyDeleteGreat content. I own a professional window tinting company in the Orlando Florida area and have a number of customers who have seen these same problems.
ReplyDeleteOn this page you can read my interests, write something special. entry doors
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