Q-Air project results are creating possibilities beyond the state-of-the-art and can bring great positive impacts across the architecture, construction, glazing industry and nature, to the owners, occupants and wider society.
NEARLY ZERO ENERGY BUILDING - nZEB
Q-Air project is helping to move the industry closer to a total sustainable, near-zero energy building (nZEB). Our research results and calculations have shown that the 5-chamber Q-Air glass façade, which has an extremely high thermal insulation for the whole system (Ucw value as low as 0.30 W/m2K), can diminish energy requirements for space heating substantially even in northern countries and can eliminate the requirement for heating in other countries. Heating demand is close to zero as such a system provides enough heat gain through visible light alone, which enables an almost heating-free solution in winter. This is achieved with glazing whose solar heat gain (g or SHGC value) does not exceed 0.3 and Q-Air can provide such (0.09 – 0.34). Currently, CO2 emissions associated with buildings are strongly appearing due to winter heating, which means Q-Air can besides significant energy consumption reduction also extensively reduce CO2 emissions and contribute to climate protection. All this represents a new paradigm in reduction of dependency from fossil fuels in buildings.
6-PANE TRANSPARENT GLAZING, THERMAL INSULATION Ucw ≥ 0.30 W/m2K
Up to six layers of glass (6-pane glazing or 5-chamber system) create an innovative insulating core to allow Q-Air to deliver unparalleled energy savings, healthy and comfortable indoor environment. Specifically, the fully transparent glazed façade offers an extremely low thermal transmittance, Ucw ≥ 0.30 W/m2K, Ug = 0.27 W/m2K. Based on scientific knowledge, Q-Air uses flexing expansion glass and breathable innermost expansion chamber, which compensates for the climatic insulating gas expansion and contraction. Q-Air, which doesn´t need any external shading devices and is a prefabricated solution, is very fast and simple for use, and this way almost maintenance free solution.
HIGH LIVING AND WORKING COMFORT - NATURAL DAYLIGHT, UNOBSTRUCTED VIEW, CONSTANT INDOOR TEMPERATURE, SOUND PROTECTION
Q-Air creates an outstanding living and working environment for occupants with no viewing obstructions (due to no external sun shades) as well as facilitating a constant interior temperature, with no cold draughts (cold air movements) from the glass in winter (due to low Ug value) and equally no excessive solar heat gain (heat radiation from the glass or overheating) in summer. The fully transparent façade maximises the passage of natural daylight, which contributes to an improved wellbeing of occupants and its sound insulating capabilities, in excess of 43 dB, ensures a peaceful environment too.
