A major shift is taking place towards windows that save energy

The energy crisis of the 1970s catalyzed the creation of one of the greatest energy saving innovations in modern history: low-emissivity (low-E) windows. Now, 40 years later, dynamic, energy-saving electrochromic windows are poised to disrupt thee windows industry — spearheaded by companies like Miru. 

The 1970s were a pivotal time in energy-saving innovation. After a series of global oil price shocks and supply disruptions, the U.S. government funded research to reduce the use of fossil fuels.

At this time, windows were a key area of focus as buildings are one of the largest energy consumers, and windows are a key source of energy inefficiency. Heat can easily pass through standard windows, leading to wasteful heat gain in warmer climates and heat loss in colder climates.

To address this, a strategic collaboration among the U.S. Department of Energy, industry associations, window manufacturers, and research institutions led to a significant breakthrough in window technology: low-E windows. 

Low-E windows contain thin, transparent coatings on the surface that reduce the amount of heat transferred through a window. These low-E coatings reflect infrared heat radiation to prevent excessive heat gain in hot weather, while retaining heat in the building during cold weather, reducing the heating and cooling costs of buildings by 20%. 

Today, more than 85% of windows contain low-E coatings, but as game-changing for energy saving as this innovation was, low-E windows are not enough. Low-E windows are static: they do not adjust for the seasons or the time of day. We still need window coverings to protect us from the sun’s glare, meaning our blinds and curtains are closed 60% of the time! 

We are now entering the next era in window innovation

Dynamic smart window technologies are now available to increase building energy efficiencies by yet another 20%. These electrochromic windows (eWindows) have been proven to keep rooms 10 degrees C cooler than conventional windows during our ever hotter summer months.

Miru is helping drive this next shift towards more energy-efficient windows. Our eWindows enable people to electronically change the tint of their windows to respond to the season, time of day or weather pattern — minimizing excessive heat during hot weather while containing heat within the building during colder weather. Miru eWindows enable us to stay connected to the outside world while still enjoying a pleasant view.

To learn more about Miru smart eWindows, contact us.

The number one factor consumers cite when deciding which electric vehicle (EV) to purchase is driving range. But while car manufacturers focus on improving battery designs, tintable windows also extend the driving range of an electric vehicle. By controlling the amount of light passing through the vehicle window, drivers can realize a 10% increase in EV driving range.

Smart sunroofs change the level of tint in response to electricity. The driver can therefore dynamically tint the window with the press of a button. These windows offer greater comfort in changing weather conditions, while reducing the energy vehicles consume to increase the driving range for EVs.

The first generation of smart sunroofs are finally hitting the market after years of development. Porsche Taycan and Renault Solarbay are both examples currently in the market.

The Porsche Taycan comes with optional panoramic glass roof with variable light control. Image from: www.porsche.com

While these first gen smart windows diffract light, Miru is pioneering the use of electrochromic technologies that better control the sun’s heat. Miru is bringing to market electrochromic windows (“eWindows”), which have been proven on flat glass in large commercial buildings—making Miru the first to make curved eWindows for automobiles.

Miru eWindows can span large panoramic sunroofs without bisecting busbars, and use low voltage power to drive the switching. These features are important to both consumers and manufacturers, as automobiles are designed with increasingly more glass.

By using Miru eWindows to increase the driving range of electric vehicles, drivers can reduce CO emissions, enhancing the wellbeing of our people and our planet.

To learn more about Miru eWindows for automobiles, email contact@mirucorp.com.

Cars, trucks and airplanes are widely regarded as the worst contributors to our climate change crisis for their greenhouse gas (GhG) emissions. But buildings are actually the largest emitters of CO₂ — responsible for 40% of the world’s carbon emissions.

The most significant energy draws in buildings are for heating, cooling, and lighting, which generate 10 gigatons of CO₂ emissions annually. If we make buildings more eco-friendly, we can stabilize global temperatures. We need to move quickly: The global population is projected to double by the year 2050, and to meet those needs, the pace of construction is not slowing down.

Windows are a major source of building inefficiencies.

Improvements in the efficiency of a window will have a huge impact on CO₂ emissions. But the last significant innovation in windows (low-emissivity or low-e windows) was 40 years ago. That’s before the first Apple Macintosh came to market. While computer technology has clearly advanced (we can now operate most of our lives with a smartphone the size of our hand), windows technology innovation has been stuck in the ‘80s.

Enter smart windows or electrochromic windows.

Smart windows significantly increase overall building energy efficiency. Compared to conventional windows with low-emissivity coatings, smart windows can improve building energy efficiency by 20% even in mild climates. In hotter regions, the energy savings can reach 40%.

Smart windows can also reduce peak heating and cooling loads significantly — by 25% or more. This means we can downsize mechanical equipment, saving even more energy and costs. When implemented worldwide, smart windows can make a material impact in reducing energy use and the carbon footprint of buildings.

To put it in perspective, if just 25% of new buildings worldwide adopted the use of electrochromic glass like in Miru smart windows, the carbon savings would exceed half a gigaton annually by 2050.

The graph below projects the carbon savings possible with varying smart window adoption rates in new building construction

It is important that the world recognize how important windows are in reducing global carbon emissions.

Miru windows efficiently control sunlight and solar heat, resulting in reduced energy consumption, lower carbon emissions, and significant cost savings for building owners. By embracing these advanced window technologies, we can make substantial strides toward a more sustainable and energy-efficient built environment.

Miru smart windows offer a game-changing solution for reducing global carbon emissions.