{"id":1659,"date":"2021-03-11T08:47:23","date_gmt":"2021-03-11T08:47:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/horizon.peachpuff-wolverine-566518.hostingersite.com\/?p=1659"},"modified":"2021-03-11T08:47:23","modified_gmt":"2021-03-11T08:47:23","slug":"smart-windows-could-reduce-the-need-for-energy-hungry-air-conditioners","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/1659\/smart-windows-could-reduce-the-need-for-energy-hungry-air-conditioners\/","title":{"rendered":"Smart windows could reduce the need for energy-hungry air conditioners"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n
\n

Smart windows that control the amount of heat that enters or leaves a building can reduce the need for energy-intensive air conditioning units and help efforts to retrofit Europe\u2019s buildings to make them more energy efficient. \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n
\n

Roughly\u00a075% of EU buildings are energy inefficient<\/a>\u00a0and countries now are looking to retrofit old buildings to prevent a costly leakage of heat. But despite the brainpower invested to make buildings more energy efficient, the design of windows has until recently not used a lot of modern technology, says Ioannis Papakonstantinou, a professor of nanoengineering at University College London, UK.<\/p>\n

His research project\u00a0Intelglazing<\/a>\u00a0is using new ideas in nanotechnology and photonics (the physics of light) to create nanometre-thin window coatings that better insulate buildings.<\/p>\n

This had been tried before in industry, but all the previous efforts fell short – they either blocked out too little sunlight or were too expensive to make.<\/p>\n

\u2018If you start blending these (window) coatings with nanotechnology, then you can push the performance boundaries to much higher levels,\u2019 he said.<\/p>\n

The Intelglazing glass technology has two parts. The first is a microscopically thin layer of nanostructured glass shaped like tiny hair combs which are less than a micrometre (or one thousandth of a millimetre) in height. These \u2018nanocomb\u2019 structures overlap with each other and scatter sunlight, reducing the glare that enters through the window.<\/p>\n

The second part is where the windows become energy efficient. Here the researchers are experimenting with a material called vanadium oxide, which can attach to the nanocombs. This chemical compound is thermochromic – meaning it can change its colour depending on the temperature. For example, hot days will cause the vanadium oxide to change its structure, causing it to darken and reject most of the warming near-infrared sunlight, whereas on cold days it will lighten and let most of it in.<\/p>\n

Manufacturers can apply this layer directly to new windows as a layer of glazing, or DIY retrofitters can apply it to old windows as an adhesive layer of polymer film. An added benefit of this, says Prof. Papakonstantinou, is that manufacturers can customise windows or films with these layers to switch on at a different temperature point.<\/p>\n

\u2018You can change the chemical composition of vanadium dioxide in a way that it can switch at a higher or lower temperature,\u2019 he said. \u2018So you have some quite good control.\u2019 For example, windows in southern Spain could be customised to block out sunlight at a lower temperature to prevent buildings warming up during the day. Likewise, a building in northern Sweden will want to get as much warmth from the sun as possible, so their windows could only start blocking out sunlight at a higher temperature.<\/p>\n

\u2018Renovation of buildings is carried out all the time \u2026 It’s important that when we do this, that we do it in the most energy efficient way so we don’t replace an old window with a poorly performing new window.\u2019<\/p>\n

Professor Per Heiselberg, Aalborg University, Denmark<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Hydrophobic<\/strong><\/p>\n

Windows with this nanocomb-vanadium oxide layer are also hydrophobic (water repellent) – rain quickly runs off the glass and picks up any dirt along the way, making the windows self-cleaning. This makes the windows more efficient when they are used in skyscrapers, for example.<\/p>\n

The project\u2019s aim is for their windows to\u00a0reduce people\u2019s energy use<\/a>\u00a0by 25% by blocking or allowing sunlight when needed, and be more than 50% more efficient compared to existing window tech on the market, since no extra energy is needed to activate the vanadium oxide.<\/p>\n

In fact, window retrofitting technology has changed drastically since the project started in 2016, says Prof. Papakonstantinou. He says when he first discussed the project in the mid-2010s, nanotechnology in windows was unheard of but now \u2018the field has started booming.\u2019<\/p>\n

Professor Per Heiselberg of Aalborg University in Denmark says that discussions on retrofitting buildings has been around for decades, though the environmental element has only recently been a priority.<\/p>\n

\u2018It has been the topic for 40 years, but of course the argumentation has changed,\u2019 he said. Back in the 1970s he says that people were saving energy so as not to be dependent on countries in the Middle East who had an oligopoly on oil supply. \u2018Now the focus is to reduce your carbon emissions and avoid greenhouse gases.\u2019<\/p>\n

Prof Heiselberg\u2019s\u00a0ReCO2ST<\/a>\u00a0project is looking at ways to retrofit every surface that envelops a building to be more cost efficient and environmentally friendly.<\/p>\n

Ventilation systems<\/strong><\/p>\n

A central feature of the project is using smart window technology to provide ventilation for retrofitted buildings, where installing modern ventilation systems like air conditioners is difficult or expensive. \u2018(A window is usually the) weak part of the envelope because it’s typically leaky and not so well insulated,\u2019 he said. \u2018On the other hand, it’s also where we get some heat from the sun into our buildings.<\/p>\n

The main idea is to use smart windows to both provide better shade from the sun and supply fresh air into a building. This is especially useful for older buildings retrofitted with modern windows. Since these modern windows are more airtight they can cause moisture and emissions to build up in the building, which might require another costly retrofit of the building\u2019s ventilation system.<\/p>\n

\u2018It can be difficult – especially in old buildings – to find space for pipes and ventilation systems to supply fresh air to the spaces \u2013 and all spaces usually have access to the outside through a window,\u2019 said Prof. Heiselberg.<\/p>\n

\u2018It would be more cost effective if, instead of installing both a new window and a ventilation system, we use the window for supply of fresh air, and then we use the chimneys or the stacks you have in old buildings for the exhaust of the air.\u2019<\/p>\n

Their smart window idea is based on research done in a previous EU project called\u00a0CLIMAWIN<\/a>. In their triple-glazed window frame there is a small gap (around 5mm wide) at the bottom level on the outside. This gap allows air to pass in between the window\u2019s glazing layers and be warmed by sunlight. It then enters the room through a small valve at the top of the window facing inside the building.<\/p>\n

The result is a preheated draft of fresh air through the window that can then leave the building through another ventilation exhaust.<\/p>\n

At the moment the team is experimenting with different materials that can store latent heat in the windows during the day and then release it at night, says Prof. Heiselberg. \u2018During a time where we have sunshine, we can collect and store it,\u2019 he said. \u2018And then we also have the possibility to preheat air in periods where the sun is not shining.\u2019<\/p>\n

This material could also be shaded from the sun during the summer so that instead of storing latent heat, it instead cools the air passing through it. Another idea being developed is fitting the windows with sensors to know the optimal time to store and release heat, and adding miniature fans to control the direction of the airflow.<\/p>\n

\u2018Renovation of buildings is carried out all the time because components have a certain lifetime and need to be replaced,\u2019 said Prof. Heiselberg. \u2018It’s important that when we do this, that we do it in the most energy efficient way so we don’t replace an old window with a poorly performing new window.\u2019<\/p>\n

The research in this article was funded by the EU.<\/em><\/p>\n

Originally published on Horizon Magazine<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Smart windows that control the amount of heat that enters or leaves a building can reduce the need for energy-intensive air conditioning units and help efforts to retrofit Europe\u2019s buildings to make them more energy efficient. \u00a0 Roughly\u00a075% of EU buildings are energy inefficient\u00a0and countries now are looking to retrofit old buildings to prevent a … Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":298,"featured_media":1660,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"generate_page_header":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[389,266,390],"class_list":["post-1659","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-earth-energy-environment","tag-buildings","tag-construction","tag-windows"],"yoast_head":"\nSmart windows could reduce the need for energy-hungry air conditioners - Horizon Magazine Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/1659\/smart-windows-could-reduce-the-need-for-energy-hungry-air-conditioners\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Smart windows could reduce the need for energy-hungry air conditioners\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Smart windows that control the amount of heat that enters or leaves a building can reduce the need for energy-intensive air conditioning units and help efforts to retrofit Europe\u2019s buildings to make them more energy efficient. \u00a0 Roughly\u00a075% of EU buildings are energy inefficient\u00a0and countries now are looking to retrofit old buildings to prevent a ... Read more\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/1659\/smart-windows-could-reduce-the-need-for-energy-hungry-air-conditioners\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Horizon Magazine Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:author\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/horizon.magazine.eu\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2021-03-11T08:47:23+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/03\/isaac-benhesed-np9Tr3SDRw4-unsplash-scaled.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2560\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1707\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Horizon Magazine\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@https:\/\/twitter.com\/HorizonMagEU\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Horizon Magazine\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"6 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/scienceblog.com\\\/horizon\\\/1659\\\/smart-windows-could-reduce-the-need-for-energy-hungry-air-conditioners\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/scienceblog.com\\\/horizon\\\/1659\\\/smart-windows-could-reduce-the-need-for-energy-hungry-air-conditioners\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Horizon Magazine\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/scienceblog.com\\\/horizon\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/8f23522ba58f477f04dd574e1034f679\"},\"headline\":\"Smart windows could reduce the need for energy-hungry air conditioners\",\"datePublished\":\"2021-03-11T08:47:23+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/scienceblog.com\\\/horizon\\\/1659\\\/smart-windows-could-reduce-the-need-for-energy-hungry-air-conditioners\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":1264,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/scienceblog.com\\\/horizon\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/scienceblog.com\\\/horizon\\\/1659\\\/smart-windows-could-reduce-the-need-for-energy-hungry-air-conditioners\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/scienceblog.com\\\/horizon\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/4\\\/2021\\\/03\\\/isaac-benhesed-np9Tr3SDRw4-unsplash-scaled.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"buildings\",\"construction\",\"windows\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Earth, Energy & Environment\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"copyrightYear\":\"2021\",\"copyrightHolder\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/scienceblog.com\\\/#organization\"}},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/scienceblog.com\\\/horizon\\\/1659\\\/smart-windows-could-reduce-the-need-for-energy-hungry-air-conditioners\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/scienceblog.com\\\/horizon\\\/1659\\\/smart-windows-could-reduce-the-need-for-energy-hungry-air-conditioners\\\/\",\"name\":\"Smart windows could reduce the need for energy-hungry air conditioners - Horizon Magazine Blog\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/scienceblog.com\\\/horizon\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/scienceblog.com\\\/horizon\\\/1659\\\/smart-windows-could-reduce-the-need-for-energy-hungry-air-conditioners\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/scienceblog.com\\\/horizon\\\/1659\\\/smart-windows-could-reduce-the-need-for-energy-hungry-air-conditioners\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/scienceblog.com\\\/horizon\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/4\\\/2021\\\/03\\\/isaac-benhesed-np9Tr3SDRw4-unsplash-scaled.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2021-03-11T08:47:23+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/scienceblog.com\\\/horizon\\\/1659\\\/smart-windows-could-reduce-the-need-for-energy-hungry-air-conditioners\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/scienceblog.com\\\/horizon\\\/1659\\\/smart-windows-could-reduce-the-need-for-energy-hungry-air-conditioners\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/scienceblog.com\\\/horizon\\\/1659\\\/smart-windows-could-reduce-the-need-for-energy-hungry-air-conditioners\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/scienceblog.com\\\/horizon\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/4\\\/2021\\\/03\\\/isaac-benhesed-np9Tr3SDRw4-unsplash-scaled.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/scienceblog.com\\\/horizon\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/4\\\/2021\\\/03\\\/isaac-benhesed-np9Tr3SDRw4-unsplash-scaled.jpg\",\"width\":2560,\"height\":1707,\"caption\":\"Smart windows that darken or lighten according to temperature to control the amount of heat entering a building could reduce the need for energy-intensive air conditioners. Image credit - Isaac Benhesed \\\/ Unsplash\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/scienceblog.com\\\/horizon\\\/1659\\\/smart-windows-could-reduce-the-need-for-energy-hungry-air-conditioners\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/scienceblog.com\\\/horizon\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Smart windows could reduce the need for energy-hungry air conditioners\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/scienceblog.com\\\/horizon\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/scienceblog.com\\\/horizon\\\/\",\"name\":\"Horizon Magazine Blog\",\"description\":\"The EU Research & Innovation Magazine\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/scienceblog.com\\\/horizon\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/scienceblog.com\\\/horizon\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/scienceblog.com\\\/horizon\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Horizon Magazine Blog\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/scienceblog.com\\\/horizon\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/scienceblog.com\\\/horizon\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/scienceblog.com\\\/horizon\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/4\\\/2026\\\/04\\\/eu-logo.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/scienceblog.com\\\/horizon\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/4\\\/2026\\\/04\\\/eu-logo.jpg\",\"width\":601,\"height\":283,\"caption\":\"Horizon Magazine Blog\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/scienceblog.com\\\/horizon\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"}},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/scienceblog.com\\\/horizon\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/8f23522ba58f477f04dd574e1034f679\",\"name\":\"Horizon Magazine\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/407bd816be829798850d5e7f646c4137f70c86c6af6c761b67a6ea80c364ffa4?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/407bd816be829798850d5e7f646c4137f70c86c6af6c761b67a6ea80c364ffa4?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/407bd816be829798850d5e7f646c4137f70c86c6af6c761b67a6ea80c364ffa4?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Horizon Magazine\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/horizon.magazine.eu\",\"https:\\\/\\\/x.com\\\/https:\\\/\\\/twitter.com\\\/HorizonMagEU\"],\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/scienceblog.com\\\/horizon\\\/author\\\/horizonmagazine\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Smart windows could reduce the need for energy-hungry air conditioners - Horizon Magazine Blog","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/1659\/smart-windows-could-reduce-the-need-for-energy-hungry-air-conditioners\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Smart windows could reduce the need for energy-hungry air conditioners","og_description":"Smart windows that control the amount of heat that enters or leaves a building can reduce the need for energy-intensive air conditioning units and help efforts to retrofit Europe\u2019s buildings to make them more energy efficient. \u00a0 Roughly\u00a075% of EU buildings are energy inefficient\u00a0and countries now are looking to retrofit old buildings to prevent a ... Read more","og_url":"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/1659\/smart-windows-could-reduce-the-need-for-energy-hungry-air-conditioners\/","og_site_name":"Horizon Magazine Blog","article_author":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/horizon.magazine.eu","article_published_time":"2021-03-11T08:47:23+00:00","og_image":[{"width":2560,"height":1707,"url":"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/03\/isaac-benhesed-np9Tr3SDRw4-unsplash-scaled.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Horizon Magazine","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@https:\/\/twitter.com\/HorizonMagEU","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Horizon Magazine","Est. reading time":"6 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/1659\/smart-windows-could-reduce-the-need-for-energy-hungry-air-conditioners\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/1659\/smart-windows-could-reduce-the-need-for-energy-hungry-air-conditioners\/"},"author":{"name":"Horizon Magazine","@id":"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/#\/schema\/person\/8f23522ba58f477f04dd574e1034f679"},"headline":"Smart windows could reduce the need for energy-hungry air conditioners","datePublished":"2021-03-11T08:47:23+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/1659\/smart-windows-could-reduce-the-need-for-energy-hungry-air-conditioners\/"},"wordCount":1264,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/1659\/smart-windows-could-reduce-the-need-for-energy-hungry-air-conditioners\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/03\/isaac-benhesed-np9Tr3SDRw4-unsplash-scaled.jpg","keywords":["buildings","construction","windows"],"articleSection":["Earth, Energy & Environment"],"inLanguage":"en-US","copyrightYear":"2021","copyrightHolder":{"@id":"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/#organization"}},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/1659\/smart-windows-could-reduce-the-need-for-energy-hungry-air-conditioners\/","url":"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/1659\/smart-windows-could-reduce-the-need-for-energy-hungry-air-conditioners\/","name":"Smart windows could reduce the need for energy-hungry air conditioners - Horizon Magazine Blog","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/1659\/smart-windows-could-reduce-the-need-for-energy-hungry-air-conditioners\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/1659\/smart-windows-could-reduce-the-need-for-energy-hungry-air-conditioners\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/03\/isaac-benhesed-np9Tr3SDRw4-unsplash-scaled.jpg","datePublished":"2021-03-11T08:47:23+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/1659\/smart-windows-could-reduce-the-need-for-energy-hungry-air-conditioners\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/1659\/smart-windows-could-reduce-the-need-for-energy-hungry-air-conditioners\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/1659\/smart-windows-could-reduce-the-need-for-energy-hungry-air-conditioners\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/03\/isaac-benhesed-np9Tr3SDRw4-unsplash-scaled.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/03\/isaac-benhesed-np9Tr3SDRw4-unsplash-scaled.jpg","width":2560,"height":1707,"caption":"Smart windows that darken or lighten according to temperature to control the amount of heat entering a building could reduce the need for energy-intensive air conditioners. Image credit - Isaac Benhesed \/ Unsplash"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/1659\/smart-windows-could-reduce-the-need-for-energy-hungry-air-conditioners\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Smart windows could reduce the need for energy-hungry air conditioners"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/#website","url":"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/","name":"Horizon Magazine Blog","description":"The EU Research & Innovation Magazine","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/#organization","name":"Horizon Magazine Blog","url":"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/04\/eu-logo.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/04\/eu-logo.jpg","width":601,"height":283,"caption":"Horizon Magazine Blog"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"}},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/#\/schema\/person\/8f23522ba58f477f04dd574e1034f679","name":"Horizon Magazine","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/407bd816be829798850d5e7f646c4137f70c86c6af6c761b67a6ea80c364ffa4?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/407bd816be829798850d5e7f646c4137f70c86c6af6c761b67a6ea80c364ffa4?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/407bd816be829798850d5e7f646c4137f70c86c6af6c761b67a6ea80c364ffa4?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Horizon Magazine"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/horizon.magazine.eu","https:\/\/x.com\/https:\/\/twitter.com\/HorizonMagEU"],"url":"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/author\/horizonmagazine\/"}]}},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/03\/isaac-benhesed-np9Tr3SDRw4-unsplash-scaled.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pgtNKV-qL","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":2655,"url":"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/2655\/off-the-roof-the-quest-to-harness-energy-from-facades\/","url_meta":{"origin":1659,"position":0},"title":"Off the roof: the quest to harness energy from facades","author":"Horizon Magazine","date":"January 27, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Researchers are going beyond conventional solar panels in a bid to generate heat and electricity from the other external surfaces of buildings. By \u00a0Jack McGovan In social housing on the outskirts of the southern Dutch city of Eindhoven, Renske Crone was delighted with an experiment in 2022 involving her apartment:\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Earth, Energy & Environment"","block_context":{"text":"Earth, Energy & Environment","link":"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/category\/earth-energy-environment\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2024\/01\/26.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2024\/01\/26.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2024\/01\/26.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2024\/01\/26.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2024\/01\/26.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2024\/01\/26.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1342,"url":"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/1342\/how-europes-city-facades-and-pavements-are-being-used-to-harvest-clean-energy\/","url_meta":{"origin":1659,"position":1},"title":"How Europe\u2019s city fa\u00e7ades and pavements are being used to harvest clean energy","author":"Horizon Magazine","date":"July 7, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Building fa\u00e7ades and pavements in Dutch and Italian cities are being turned into smart, energy-harvesting surfaces and equipped with sensors to power, heat and cool spaces and even monitor roads. Europeans have become used to seeing solar panels on the roofs of buildings. But there are plenty of other man-made\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Earth, Energy & Environment"","block_context":{"text":"Earth, Energy & Environment","link":"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/category\/earth-energy-environment\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"A coat of special green paint used on panels at a school gym in Almere, the Netherlands, helps the panels absorb sunlight for heating and for hot water. Image credit - Emergo","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2020\/07\/header.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2020\/07\/header.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2020\/07\/header.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2020\/07\/header.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2020\/07\/header.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2020\/07\/header.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1796,"url":"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/1796\/out-with-air-conditioners-in-with-chilled-water-how-europe-could-slash-its-cooling-footprint\/","url_meta":{"origin":1659,"position":2},"title":"Out with air conditioners, in with chilled water \u2013 how Europe could slash its cooling footprint","author":"Horizon Magazine","date":"August 25, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"As climate change warms the world, we increasingly need to find ways to efficiently cool our buildings \u2013 whilst also lowering our emissions to attempt to halt the temperature rise as much as possible. Traditional air conditioners are a poor method of achieving either goal, but what if there was\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Earth, Energy & Environment"","block_context":{"text":"Earth, Energy & Environment","link":"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/category\/earth-energy-environment\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/08\/Out-with-air-conditioners-in-with-chilled-water-chuttersnap-ifmqouokaoa-unsplash-scaled.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/08\/Out-with-air-conditioners-in-with-chilled-water-chuttersnap-ifmqouokaoa-unsplash-scaled.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/08\/Out-with-air-conditioners-in-with-chilled-water-chuttersnap-ifmqouokaoa-unsplash-scaled.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/08\/Out-with-air-conditioners-in-with-chilled-water-chuttersnap-ifmqouokaoa-unsplash-scaled.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/08\/Out-with-air-conditioners-in-with-chilled-water-chuttersnap-ifmqouokaoa-unsplash-scaled.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/08\/Out-with-air-conditioners-in-with-chilled-water-chuttersnap-ifmqouokaoa-unsplash-scaled.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2710,"url":"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/2710\/home-renovations-for-europes-low-income-families-get-a-boost\/","url_meta":{"origin":1659,"position":3},"title":"Home renovations for Europe\u2019s low-income families get a boost","author":"Horizon Magazine","date":"March 22, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Upgrading social housing is a central part of EU projects to make city life healthier and happier. By Gareth Willmer In the northeastern Italian city of Trieste, a construction project intended as a model for Europe is getting underway. On the southeastern outskirts of the city, eight buildings with social\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Earth, Energy & Environment"","block_context":{"text":"Earth, Energy & Environment","link":"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/category\/earth-energy-environment\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2024\/03\/22.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2024\/03\/22.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2024\/03\/22.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2024\/03\/22.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2024\/03\/22.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2024\/03\/22.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2446,"url":"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/2446\/new-tech-for-old-buildings-means-gains-for-the-wallet-and-climate\/","url_meta":{"origin":1659,"position":4},"title":"New tech for old buildings means gains for the wallet and climate","author":"Horizon Magazine","date":"August 7, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"\"Smart\" technologies in homes reduce energy use and bills, prompting stepped-up European research in the field. They may lack the environmental wow factor of switching to an electric car or giving up flying, but energy improvements in buildings cut emissions that cause global warming and make life more comfortable for\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Earth, Energy & Environment"","block_context":{"text":"Earth, Energy & Environment","link":"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/category\/earth-energy-environment\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/08\/2.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/08\/2.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/08\/2.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/08\/2.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2433,"url":"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/2433\/in-climate-fight-europe-pushes-for-homes-to-ditch-boilers\/","url_meta":{"origin":1659,"position":5},"title":"In climate fight, Europe pushes for homes to ditch boilers","author":"Horizon Magazine","date":"July 19, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Heat pumps in buildings are in focus as the EU slashes emissions and boosts clean energy. By\u00a0\u00a0HELEN MASSY-BERESFORD At the foot of the mountains of western Italy between the cities of Turin and Cuneo, Europe recently took a step forward in a campaign to provide homes with clean energy as\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Earth, Energy & Environment"","block_context":{"text":"Earth, Energy & Environment","link":"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/category\/earth-energy-environment\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/07\/19.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/07\/19.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/07\/19.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/07\/19.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1659","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/298"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1659"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1659\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1660"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1659"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1659"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1659"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}