What do clean windows have to do with going green?

Establishing industry performance standards for glass has needed a excellent deal of time, effort and money. These standards cover elements from solar energy reflectance (g-value) and light transmittance (t-value) to heat gain or loss (U-value).  All of these elements can affect glass performance and the energy efficiency of a building.

Glass is usually taken for granted as becoming fundamentally a low or no-maintenance architectural feature.  Nonetheless, glass is like any other building surface and requirements standard attention in order to maintain leading performance levels.  In most climates, but especially in locations where it’s especially hot and humid, loss of performance can effortlessly occur. Condensation on exterior glazing is exposed to windblown dust and particulates, and in some instances, supplies from a nearby construction site.  Regular exposure like this can trigger chemical reactions that lead to corrosion and physical damage of glass surfaces.  Throughout the far more humid months, exterior condensation typically occurs on buildings where high performance glass is utilized, such as energy effective insulating glass (IG) with a low emissivity (low-E) coating. The condensation attracts airborne particulates creating a fine acidic coating that is left to bake in the hot sun. As this cycle repeats itself the surface of the glass can be damaged and performance levels drop below business standards.

Typical cleaning of exterior glass surfaces is an essential component of maintaining the overall high quality of a building’s performance standards and energy efficiency, not just the appearance.  Vast expanses of glass in some buildings can easily take up over half of the overall building surface.  Take into consideration that those wonderful expanses may well not be delivering at peak efficiency, and a situation exists that can have a substantial, negative impact on energy use over the lengthy term.

Yet another benefit to a normal schedule of cleaning is that it gives expert window cleaning crews the chance to inspect window seals up close.  Aging and declining seals around vast expanses of glass can have an even higher impact on the loss of valuable heating and cooling dollars as they, literally, go out the window.  Identifying deterioration early and taking steps to remedy it can ultimately lessen energy costs over the lengthy term.

In an era when energy use is being heavily scrutinized by constructing owners, facility operators and tenants alike, it’s crucial to look at every single element that can influence the overall energy efficiency of a building.  High performance developing glass, like any other building feature, will only stay in top condition with the appropriate attention to maintenance.  Remember, clean is green!