A Better World Through Better Windows

Well, this is an invention that I've been waiting to have happen ... and, sadly, it comes just too late for my own recent window replacement. The KSD Window from Eco-Logical Innovations (the U.S. sister company of ÖKO-LOGIC GmbH in Germany) is "the every season window with the right spin."

The KSD window has three panes with high insulative value. The innovation is in that center pane. It has heat reflective capabilities, in one direction. Thus, in summer, flip the window with the green side facing out and there is minimal heat gain, reducing the cooling burden. In winter, flip it the other way, and it reduces heat loss (while allowing solar heat gain during the day), reducing the heating load. GENIUS!

No word on how much the windows will save the average home, but we've seen some insane numbers for energy loss through windows, so we wouldn't be surprised if it was substantial.

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This is the most ingenious solution
written by weee, October 26, 2007

I've seen for years. Absolutely brilliant.
Does the company operate in the UK?

...
written by Enrique, October 26, 2007

Wow, great invention.

Useful windows
written by window, October 26, 2007

I hve never seen windows like that before. It must be much easier to clean the windows instead of having to hang outside the building.

Truly awesome
written by Webster, October 26, 2007

I just ordered a raft of windows, but I've got a big (110x54)south-facing window that wasn't part of the order. This is on the list.

Brilliant windows!
written by Carolyn, October 27, 2007

Brilliant indeed, but are they priced outside the realm of do-ability? What if they break? do they shatter into a million shards? What if I need to order a replacement, do I need to wait for a specialized window installer to put it in?
Great idea. It's about time.

low tech
written by speedy, October 28, 2007

what about normal double glazed windows with curtins. does the same thing at less cost?

Finally!
written by Neece, October 31, 2007

That's great news! It's about time someone comes up with windows that are more energy efficient. Plus, I agree they'd be easier to clean.:) Brilliant idea!
I also wonder if they are prohibitively expensive though.

sounds lovely but...
written by alora, November 01, 2007

Wouldn't the laws of physics prohibit a window pane from reflecting heat off one side and absorbing it through the other?

laws of phy6
written by it spins, November 01, 2007

Alona....the center pane is doing the same thing (reflecting heat) at all times. It's just a matter of which direction its facing.

Useless
written by Darrell, November 06, 2007

Flipping the window will make no difference. If it did anything it would violate the second law of thermodynamics. There is no such thing as one way glass or a one way heat coating. Google Maxwell's Demon if you want an example. This window will actually be WORSE because it has an extra set of weather striping to leak.

Clueless
written by Chris, November 06, 2007

These windows don't violate laws of physics or thermodynamics any more than a one-way mirror. One-way mirrors pass radiation (light) in the visible spectrum through in one direction, and not in another. In this case, heat (in the form of infra-red, and other non-visible radiation) passes through in one direction and not another. The idea behind the window is either the trapping of energy or the reflection of energy, not the generation of energy from nowhere.

Clueless II
written by Xevi Prat, March 12, 2009

I totally agree with Chris. This kind of heat-protection is NOT based on conduction. It is based on RADIATION. And as Chis says, reflection can be an uni-directional effect, for visible light or for long-wave-infra-red radiations (wich "contains" lots of heat). So this kind of glasses will work as mirrors for visible light, but reflecting not light, but "heat", to the direction we orientate them, and not to the other.

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