Keep a cool head - Dimmable glass

Dimmable glass reduces heat, not visibility

The dark season is finally over. Sunshine and warmth make life easier and bring new energy to everyday life. But intense sunlight quickly creates sauna-like temperatures in modern living and office spaces with large glass surfaces. With the help of blinds and shutters, we block out light and heat – and return to the state we actually wanted to escape: darkness.

Smart Glass regulates the room temperature

Eyeglasses have long had lenses that darken in sunlight. And a similar solution has been developed for buildings, allowing them to block out heat without sacrificing room brightness or unobstructed views through windows: intelligent glass, also known as "smart glass." EControl-Glas pioneered this technology in 2006, developing a new generation of electrically dimmable glazing that has been gradually establishing itself on the German market for the past three years. The principle behind electrochromic (EC) glass is this: when exposed to sunlight, the outer pane of glass turns blue. The glass itself remains transparent. When the sky is cloudy, the blue tint disappears. Furthermore, this insulated glass protects against unwanted views inside – without blocking out daylight.

Individually and automatically controllable

The smart window can be controlled manually at the touch of a button or automatically via brightness sensors in five stages or continuously. EC glass is frequently used in public buildings and office buildings; in private homes, it is recommended for partially or fully glazed living spaces, conservatories, and skylights. While the initial cost is not insignificant, the investment pays for itself in the long run, as the EC window's energy consumption is significantly lower than that of an air conditioner. Since smart glass also provides excellent thermal insulation, it further reduces heating costs in winter – and the resulting CO2 savings benefit the environment.

Sources: EnBauSa (Energy-efficient building and renovation), EControl-glas.de, baunetzwissen.de, handelsblatt.com, energieheld.de, greentech-made-in-germany.de, green.wiwo.de.