Energy efficiency is one of the top priorities in glass manufacturing. Much has been written and said about the role which energy efficiency can play in the evolution of the entire glass industry. However, many glass manufacturers, especially in the developing world, lag behind their developed partners. They face considerable difficulties in their way to adopting energy-efficient technologies and systems. Just a month ago, specialists at Home glass repair Chandler learned that all commercial buildings owners in San Francisco would have to send their annual energy costs/ benchmarks, in order to comply with the Existing Commercial Buildings Energy Performance Ordinance. In other words, all owners of commercial buildings in San Francisco would have to report the amount of energy they use during one calendar year, as part of their compliance with the city?s energy efficiency requirements. The goal of the proposed change is to promote greater accountability and efficiency of energy use in commercial organizations. The new requirement is actually a form of regular audit for all owners of commercial buildings which, as expected, will motivate these owners to become more efficient in their energy uses.

In reality, the goal of the proposed mandatory energy audits is much more complicated and far-reaching. The city authorities expect that mandatory audits would boost the use of energy-efficient glass in commercial buildings. Home glass repair Chandler believes that it is a good incentive for buildings larger than 10,000 square meters to take advantage of energy-efficient glass. Certainly, the costs of using energy-efficient glass cannot be totally disregarded, and most commercial buildings owners will, most probably, argue against the new requirement. However, in the era of sustainability and environmental protection, energy-efficient glass can become a productive long-term measure aimed at reducing the costs of energy and the damages caused to the environment.

Gilbert Glass professionals do not simply provide customers with superior quality products but also seek to fit themselves in the latest sustainable development trends. This is one of the main reasons why we are so attentive to the materials and quality of work provided to customers. This is also why we familiarize ourselves with the potential benefits and risks of new construction and design materials. In this blog, we want to discuss the importance of volatile organic contents and their implications for sustainable development in the glass industry. Like any other industrial manufacturing field, the glass industry uses complex chemical compounds to produce sophisticated and functional glass products. Volatile chemical compounds represent an important stage in the development of new glass products, but we at Gilbert Glass should understand that VOC have both positive and negative sides.

No, that certainly does not mean that VOC are necessarily dangerous! Also, that does not mean that all glass products are unfriendly to the environment. It is nothing but pure chemistry, and our glass products meet all standards of quality and safety. The topic of VOC is important mainly because it provides a better understanding to consumers of the glass products they buy and use in their homes and businesses. Today?s manufacturers use complex methodologies to determine and disclose the VOC in their products. Basically, they heat their products and evaporate all volatile contents. Then they weight the product and measure the difference. The amount of VOC is usually expressed as the number of grams per Liter of the substance (g/L). If you need more information about the way glass products are manufactured and whether they meet the basic safety regulations, please, ask Gilbert Glass. We are ready to inform you about everything that interests you in the glass market.

Passive solar design: how does it work? It?s a common question, but not all, even the most experienced, glass professionals can provide a good answer to it. As of today, specialists at Tempe Glass know a variety of passive solar design techniques that can enhance the quality and comfort of any window. In this post, we want to talk about the so-called direct gain, which is believed to be one of the simplest and common energy-efficient techniques of window design. Really, we think that direct gain is one of the best passive solar design techniques ever created in the glass industry. In direct gain windows, usually made of transparent glass, the warmth of sunlight comes into the house. It should be noted, that direct gain windows usually face south. We at Tempe Glass believe that this is one of the best ways to make any house more energy-efficient. Once inside, the sunlight energy hits the floor, usually made of a dark well-absorbing material. The floor fulfills a complex function to absorb the energy coming through the window. At night, or in darkness, the floor will convert and radiate this energy back into the room.

Apparently, passive solar design is not limited to windows, and we at Tempe Glass have learned that windows can become energy-efficient, only when they are part of a broader design solution, e.g., floors and walls. You cannot be sure that your passive solar design windows work appropriately, if you fail to use appropriate materials for your walls and floors. If you simply wish to improve the energy efficiency of your home, use water-filled containers inside the living space to absorb, convert, and radiate the energy back into the room. Make sure the glazing area is large enough to let more sunlight energy in. Ask specialists at Tempe Glass about the most ideal thermal mass ratio for your climate. We will not forget to insulate the thermal mass from the outside climate, so that the heat you get from the sun does not drain away from your house.

When glass is discussed, glass recycling is rarely an object of analysis. Unfortunately, the topic of glass recycling tends to be ignored. Nevertheless, glass recycling remains an essential element of the entire glass industry, simply because, without recycling, there would be no glass industry at all. Glass is one of the few existing materials that can be recycled without any damage caused to its quality or purity. Most U.S. communities have at-the-curb containers and collection sites for glass, and 10 states have their own glass deposit programs. This is why, it is interesting to know that the glass recycling industry continues to grow, supporting thousands of jobs and generating billions in revenues.

Glass Packaging Institute has published the most recent information regarding the glass recycling industry?s current state and progression. Home glass repair Chandler believes that this information can be extremely useful for anybody looking to understand the trends and patterns affecting today?s glass industry. Based on the result of the most recent economic analysis, the glass recycling industry in the United States is actually a powerful driver of economic and financial growth, affecting all major sectors of economy and its overall state. The mere fact that the glass recycling industry is a driver of job creation suggests that the industry greatly contributes to the economic growth in America. As of today, the glass recycling industry is the creator of almost 460,000 jobs, with more than $10 billion in revenues earned during 2011.

Home glass repair Chandler imagines that the glass recycling industry is not simply an essential economic sector but also a vital element of the country?s recycling philosophy. Everybody seeks to become sustainable and ethical, and glass recycling is just one of the many ways in which individuals can protect the environment and reduce environmental costs. Glass recycling is one of the rare cases when a whole industry operates successfully, despite the serious financial difficulties facing the U.S. Definitely, glass recycling will help America to alleviate the burden of both economic and environmental difficulties.

Indirect gain: What is it? In the previous blog, we spoke about the benefits and principles of direct gain. However, passive solar design is not limited to it. Indirect gain is just another element of the passive solar design game, and we at Mesa Glass are willing to tell more about its benefits and strengths. Unlike direct gain windows, where energy from the sun comes directly through the window and is absorbed by the interior constructions, such as floors or walls, indirect gain windows operate through an energy storage located between them and the interior. For example, many specialists in the glass industry use a Trombe wall consisting of a 8-16 inch masonry material, always on the southern side of the house. This is critical, since most sunlight energy comes from the south. This is why we always tell our customers that, when designing their homes and windows, they should be extremely considerate with the choice of the location, climate, and home design. Using a masonry wall on the south side of the house is a good solution to many energy problems that emerge on a daily basis. With a Trombe wall on the southern side of your house, you will have a dark surface absorbing the sunlight and a mass of wall material keeping this energy to get it back into the living space, when there is no sun.

One of the major benefits of indirect gain windows is that the mason wall used in it releases the energy from the sun several hours. However, we at Mesa Glass cannot ignore the fact that indirect gain windows are difficult to manage in home and business buildings that have been completed. Certainly, indirect gain windows and walls present a perfect solution to many energy problems, but only at the stage of design. This is why we recommend that our glass professionals and your construction agents work together to create a perfect home for you!