Glass: efficiently green

“We have pioneered innovations in glass processing technology to develop products that feature the best ‘green’ parameters,” says Vikram Khanna, COO – Consumer Glass and Architectural Institutional Business, CMO, CIO, Asahi India Glass Ltd. (AIS)
Glass helps in reducing the need for artificial lighting, minimising the energy consumption. Green buildings admittedly cost more to build but the operational cost is substantially reduced. In an interview with ACE Update, Vikram Khanna shares why glass is an effective green building material.
What role do glass products play in energy efficiency of a building?Glass has become an integral part of modern day architecture. It not only gives the designers the choice of finish and a manifestation to their design aspirations but also a wonderful chance to participate with the outside world.
Glass ensures that the building gets ample natural light, making interiors look brighter and livelier reducing the need for artificial lighting and saving energy, or in other words, reducing the electricity bill.
These energy-efficient glasses provide the benefit of reducing the heat gain in buildings due to its excellent energy-saving properties without compromising on the natural light coming inside the building or the brilliant aesthetics that add value to the façade. And in winter, they ensure heat is not lost. Using energy-efficient glass also helps in ensuring that the interiors and the occupants of the home feel more comfortable. Performance parameters of glasses like visual light transmission, solar factor, U-value and internal reflection make buildings more efficient and ecologically viable.
Energy-efficient glasses, when used properly can reduce the total energy consumption by anywhere between 8-10 per cent of the total energy consumed, hence the accrued benefits of using these glasses keep growing over the years.
Is the awareness about energy-efficiency gaining traction among the end-users in India?In recent times, the idea of green buildings has gained momentum. Builders, developers and architects are increasingly looking to make use of green materials like glass to add a new dimension to their buildings. Awareness of environmental impact of increased construction activity has recently been on the agenda of governmental entities and environment ministry. It is widely expected that building code changes are in pipeline in order to adhere to these concerns. Construction houses are striving to obtain sustainability certifications, ensure a better quality of life for residents, and help conserve the environment.
How is the current demand for glass products in this segment?Considering the characteristics of glass, it is being extensively used in today’s buildings. Glass helps in reducing the need for artificial lighting and thereby minimising the energy consumption. Green buildings admittedly cost more to build but the operational cost is substantially reduced. This makes the cost of ownership of green buildings substantially less than conventional spaces. Various types of glazing solutions – both internal as well as external – have not only made our spaces more efficient but also unlocked new possibilities in design and aesthetics.
Name some of your products/solutions that are essential to design and build an energy-efficient building? What make them the ‘essential’ products for energy efficient buildings?AIS has been at the forefront of this move towards an eco-friendly future. It has pioneered innovations in glass processing technology to develop products that feature the best ‘green’ parameters. AIS manufactures both single-glazed and double-glazed products, allowing architects greater choice and the ability to explore newer possibilities. These solutions enhance the aesthetics and efficiency of commercial and residential spaces, and present builders with viable, attractive and economical alternative to traditional building materials.
Energy-efficient glass ranges from AIS, under the brand name of Ecosense, provides the benefit of reducing the heat gain in buildings due to its excellent energy-saving properties without compromising on the natural light coming inside the building or the brilliant aesthetics that add value to the façade. And in winter, they ensure solar gain. No matter what the season, people inside stay comfortable at all times. Using energy-efficient glass also helps in ensuring that the interiors and the occupants of the home feel more comfortable.
Ecosense comes in three ranges: Enhance (solar control), Exceed (solar control low-E) and Essence (low-E) high-performance glasses. Ecosense, ideal for solar and thermal insulating parameters, combines aesthetics with environmental sensibility and conforms to all international and national green standards, making it the natural choice as a green building solution.

5