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Water-filled windows could provide a new level of insulation against hot and cold weather. But would it feel like living in a fish tank?
A Very Brief History of the Window
Double and triple-glazed windows are a home comfort that many of us take for granted. The warmth, insulation, security, natural light, and energy efficiency we benefit from in the modern-day window have been thousands of years in the making.
The Ancient Romans first incorporated glass panels into their windows around AD 100, and even then only the wealthiest citizens in expansive villas could afford to do so. Paper windows were used widely in China, Japan, and Korea. Fast-forward another 2,000 years or so to the bitterly cold and harsh winters of 1800s Scotland, and the concept for double glazing was born.
Double-glazing technology, however, wasn’t properly commercialized until U.S. inventor C. D. Haven developed the technology with the invention of the Thermopane.
The popularity of the double-glazed window grew throughout the 1900s. Today, more than 90% of windows sold in the U.S. are double glazed, low-emissivity (low-E) models. Essentially, two layers of glass create an air gap filled with argon gas to insulate against heat transfer between the inside and outside.
Now, researchers at Loughborough University in the U.K. believe it’s time for the window’s next upgrade — the water-filled window.
What Is a Water-filled Window?
The use of argon gas-filled gaps in double- and triple-glazed windows goes some way to providing insulation, but the system isn’t entirely practical or energy efficient.
In warm weather, windows let in a significant amount of heat, which increases the temperature indoors, while on colder days, windows allow heat to escape outdoors. This increases the amount of energy consumed by households through air conditioners and heating systems.
The water-filled glass (WFG) system, designed by Dr. Matya Gutai, looks set to overcome both these challenges, keeping homes cool in hot climates and warm in cold climates without the need for any further energy supply.
How Does a Water-filled Window Work?
These innovative windows are fitted with an almost invisible, vertical sheet of water, which sits between two panes of glass. When sunlight hits the glass, it is the water inside the window, rather than the room, that absorbs most of the heat. The warm water is circulated via wall pipes into a connected, indoor storage tank.
When the temperature outside plummets, the warm water can be returned to the pipes in the walls to heat the building, much like a central heating system. The stored water might also be used to operate taps, further reducing the demand to run water heaters.
In sub-zero climates, an additional piece of glass that insulates with a layer of argon gas would be required to keep the water from freezing. Natural sunlight and heat from the building will also help to prevent this.
WFG Systems and Sustainability
The driving force behind the WFG system is to save energy usage around the world and lower carbon emissions. While the system uses some electricity to pump water back and forth, Gutai’s latest computer simulations suggest his design will use far less energy than heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. A fully WFG-fitted building would require 72% less energy than a double glazed building and 61% less energy than a triple glazed building.
“Glass is currently a liability in buildings as it compromises energy consumption, thermal comfort, acoustics, and other aspects," Gutai said. "WFG changes this paradigm and turns glass into an opportunity for sustainable construction. It shows us that thinking holistically about buildings and building components leads to a more efficient and sustainable built environment.”
There are several other benefits to a WFG system:
- The sealed system does not permit oxygen or micro-organisms to enter, which means algae cannot form on the glass.
- No external shades are needed nor do the windows need to be tinted.
- The windows are extremely soundproof.
What Does the Future Hold for Water-filled Windows?
Gutai and his team of researchers are currently testing the water-filled windows in different climates, including in Taiwan and Hungary, and types of houses. His research will continue as the team evaluates their WFG system alongside traditional products and analyzes its long-term lifecycle impact. He hopes to soon develop the windows into a commercial product.
Image Credit: JP WALLET / Shutterstock.com
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