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Adding argon gas increases the efficiency to about R-3. Using low emissivity glass on surface #2 will add another R-value. Properly designed triple-glazed IGUs with low emissivity coatings on surfaces #2 and #4 and filled with argon gas in the cavities. Certain multi-chambered IG units result in R-values as high as R-24.
Single glass windows are no longer in general use. [4] The insulation provided by double or triple glazing can be further improved by selecting windows with low-e coatings, thermal breaks and argon or other similar gas between the panes, and also by selecting windows with high energy-efficient frames.
Low emissivity (low e or low thermal emissivity) refers to a surface condition that emits low levels of radiant thermal (heat) energy. All materials absorb, reflect, and emit radiant energy according to Planck's law but here, the primary concern is a special wavelength interval of radiant energy, namely thermal radiation of materials.
However, the additional manufacturing step adds to the cost of production, and the coating will degrade when exposed to the elements, and so can only be placed on the inside faces of a double-paned window. Generally, solar control Low-E windows are soft coat and passive Low-E windows are hard coat due to the lower emissivity of the soft coat.
A low U-value maintains inside glass temperatures at a more uniform level throughout the year. During the winter, downwards convection currents (downdrafts) are very small, thereby enabling people seated near such a multipane window to feel as comfortable adjacent to the window as they would feel if they were seated adjacent to a solid wall. [ 1 ]
In general, soft-coat low-e coatings tend to result in a lower solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) than hard-coat low-e coatings. Modern windows are usually glazed with one large sheet of glass per sash, while windows in the past were glazed with multiple panes separated by glazing bars, or muntins, due to the unavailability of large sheets of ...