Next-Gen Glass Can Save Billions in Energy Costs

Editor's Note: This article is part of the upcoming feature about next-generation glass and how it can reduce energy use. Read it in full in the March/April issue of Window + Door. 

The glass and fenestration industry plays an essential role in addressing the climate crisis. Glass can be a critical component in addressing operational carbon emissions by reducing energy use in existing and new buildings, says Stephen Selkowitz, principal of Stephen Selkowitz Consultants and affiliate at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

A recent study from Glass for Europe emphasized the difference high-performance glazing can make:

• Replacing all existing windows with “readily available high-performance glazing” by 2030 would cut annual energy use by 29 percent and annual carbon emissions by 28 percent.
• Replacing all existing windows with “improved high-performance glazing” by 2050 would cut annual energy use and carbon emissions both by 37 percent.

Residential windows have a tremendous capacity to save money and cut greenhouse gas emissions. In a note to Energy Star Residential Window, Door and Skylight partners and stakeholders dated Oct. 20, Doug Anderson, product manager for windows, doors and skylights, estimates that if all residential windows and doors sold in the United States were certified to Energy Star Version 7.0, the energy cost savings would grow to more than $156 billion each year and more than 53 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions would be avoided annually.

The National Glass Association is advocating for the use of high-performance glass and glazing materials to combat climate change and contribute to energy savings, educating legislators on high-performance glazing in order to best allocate funds from the Inflation Reduction Act. During its upcoming Glass & Glazing Advocacy Days event, March 27-28, in Washington, D.C., NGA, its member companies, stakeholders and congressional members will meet to discuss high-performance glazing and its many benefits, including energy savings, health and wellness, and sustainability. 

This is the industry's opportunity to gain the attention of agency officials and congressional members to showcase your business and the value of the glass and fenestration industry.

Get Involved

• Learn more about what the NGA is advocating for in this one-pager for legislators and stakeholders.
• Learn more about this year's Advocacy Day and consider getting involved. The deadline for participation is March 6.