Saving Energy with Glass
Reduce Heating Costs with Modern Insulated Glass
“Throwing money out the window”—this saying takes on a whole new meaning in light of the energy crisis. New windows can reduce heat loss by up to 75%. Plus, the government offers a subsidy for window replacement. The campaign by the German Flat Glass Association, “Saving Energy with Glass,” aims to show end consumers how they can reduce their energy consumption and achieve significant cost savings.
Window Replacement
Anyone who replaces their old windows with modern, energy-efficient windows is eligible for a government subsidy. This could take the form of, for example, a tax credit of up to 20 percent or an attractive loan from KfW Bank. Windows have evolved into high-tech products that meet the highest standards for thermal insulation as well as for light, security, and soundproofing. Whether made of plastic, wood, aluminum, or aluminum-wood—modern windows, like glass as a building material, have undergone an enormous improvement in quality overall. Companies with the RAL “Installation” quality mark ensure safety during window installation. These skilled trades businesses guarantee that the new windows are securely anchored in the building structure.
Glass Replacementausch
About 80 percent of all windows allow too much heating energy to escape. A simple glass replacement with thermal insulation glass significantly reduces energy consumption and helps protect the environment. This can be a compromise solution compared to replacing the entire window, for example, when the facade of an older building is not being renovated. “If the window frame is still in good condition, or even if the facade does not meet insulation standards, replacing the glass can still be a good way to save energy. A glazier should assess this on-site,” explains Jochen Grönegräs, CEO of the German Flat Glass Association.
Glass Quality
When it comes to glass quality, look for the RAL quality mark for multi-pane insulating glass (MIG): “Only insulating glass that has been tested and bears the RAL quality mark is a high-quality building product. “Those who rely on the quality mark are playing it safe and avoid the risk of material-related structural damage,” says Grönegräs. Aside from the high quality of the tested glass, there is one key advantage to quality-assured flat glass products bearing the RAL quality mark: the energy efficiency of both existing and new buildings can be improved significantly and, above all, sustainably.
Building renovation will become increasingly important in the future
The construction order figures speak for themselves: The market for modernization and renovation is growing steadily, while new construction has been declining for years. However, housing in the existing building stock will only be attractive in the future if apartments offer modern living comfort.
