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Preserving Resources: The Environmental Benefits of Low-carbon Windows

Benefits of Low-carbon Windows
low-carbon windows

1/19/2024

Preserving Resources: The Environmental Benefits of Low-carbon Windows

In the rapidly evolving landscape of the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry, sustainability has emerged as a pivotal consideration for professionals. As the world grapples with environmental challenges, the importance of incorporating low-carbon solutions into construction projects cannot be overstated. Among these solutions, low-carbon windows shine as a beacon of innovation, offering aesthetic appeal and substantial environmental advantages. 

Let's explore why architects, engineers, and builders should turn to these windows to elevate your designs and contribute to a greener future.

The recycled aluminum cycle

Eco-friendly aluminum windows exemplify the circular economy in action. In contrast to conventional windows that necessitate extracting and processing virgin materials, our green energy windows are forged from post-consumer and post-industrial aluminum. A groundbreaking product like Hydro CIRCAL 75R, pioneered by Technal, emerges from the melting down of old windows and other objects, ingeniously repurposing them into high-quality aluminum. This approach prolongs the materials' life cycle and mitigates the environmental impacts of primary aluminum extraction. By diminishing the harm caused at extraction sites, curbing the depletion of non-renewable raw materials, and minimizing greenhouse gas emissions, Hydro CIRCAL 75R seamlessly aligns with the circular economy's principles.

 

The benefits of recycled aluminum windows

  • Enhanced energy efficiency and thermal performance

Low-carbon windows distinguish themselves with exceptional energy efficiency. Aluminum's inherent properties enable the creation of windows with remarkable thermal performance, leading to improved insulation and reduced energy consumption. This advantage harmonizes perfectly with the pursuit of low-carbon solutions, as buildings with such windows demand less energy for heating and cooling. Furthermore, with Technal aluminum products, not only is carbon emission reduced at the manufacturing stage, but by installing aluminum windows in your development, the operational carbon emissions of the building are also reduceded. 

Operational carbon refers to emissions that result directly from the day-to-day activities within a building due to the energy consumption required to operate. Operational carbon typically includes emissions from heating, cooling, lighting, equipment operation, transportation, and other energy-intensive processes. With Technal’s high-performance windows, less energy consumption enables fewer emissions. By prioritizing these windows, professionals not only enhance the comfort of the spaces they design but also play a pivotal role in shrinking the carbon footprint of their projects.

 

  • Longevity and durability

Longevity forms a cornerstone of sustainability, and green energy windows excel in this regard. Aluminum's durability guarantees that these windows endure over time, necessitating minimal maintenance and replacements. By installing windows with extended lifespans, professionals can significantly decrease the waste generated by frequent replacements, substantially contributing to more sustainable waste management. The advent of low-carbon solutions, exemplified by Hydro CIRCAL 75R, represents a transformative stride toward equilibrium. Its inherent low energy consumption during production positions Hydro CIRCAL 75R as an ally in mitigating materials' impact on a building's life cycle.

 

  • Diminished embodied carbon

Embodied carbon, often underestimated, yet vital in assessing a product's environmental impact, encompasses emissions linked to its entire lifecycle, from raw material extraction to manufacturing and transportation. Windows made from recycled aluminum inherently possess a lower embodied carbon footprint than those fashioned from virgin materials. Opting for these windows means professionals actively contribute to mitigating their projects' carbon impact from the outset, aligning seamlessly to integrate low-carbon solutions.

 

  • Aesthetic flexibility with an eco-friendly twist

Sustainability need not entail compromising on design flexibility. Low-carbon windows come in various styles and finishes, enabling professionals to seamlessly incorporate them into their projects while staying true to their aesthetic visions. Low-carbon, recycled aluminum has the same specifications as virgin, or ‘new’ aluminum, enabling infinite customization possibilities. This versatility presents an opportunity to elevate the visual allure of spaces while championing eco-friendliness. It's a mutually beneficial scenario that caters to the artistic sensibilities of professionals and the environmental considerations of the contemporary world.

 

Eco-Footprint: Hydro CIRCAL 75R vs. Standard Primary aluminum

In the realm of sustainable design, the carbon footprint of building materials has taken center stage. Particularly noteworthy is the average carbon footprint of primary aluminum in Europe, which hovers around 8.6 kg of CO2 per kg of aluminum.

 

Enter Hydro CIRCAL 75R, a true game-changer in this equation. It doesn't just alter the narrative; it redefines it. With a remarkably reduced impact of a mere 2.33 kg of CO2 per kg of aluminum, it achieves an impressive reduction of 6.27 kg of CO2. Now, let's translate this impact into the context of window manufacturing, where the real transformation unfolds.

Imagine an average window weighing approximately 20 kg. With Hydro CIRCAL 75R as the material of choice, the result is nothing short of remarkable—an average saving of 125.4 kg of CO2 per window. Beyond the numbers, this ripple effect of carbon savings directly addresses environmental concerns while placing firm stepping stones toward achieving broader sustainability objectives.

 

The Ingenious Process Behind Hydro CIRCAL 75R

A meticulous material selection process at the heart of creating Hydro CIRCAL 75R ensures the ideal alloy for crafting carpentry profiles. Aluminum's versatility manifests in various alloys, each tailored for specific industrial applications. To facilitate optimal recycling, Technal's Hydro plant in Dormagen, Germany, has developed cutting-edge technology that efficiently segregates aluminum from other metals, facilitating effective recycling. The outcome is a stream of recycled aluminum with the precise alloy composition required for crafting windows at Hydro's smelting facilities.

Choose sustainable windows with Technal 

 

In a world where choices resonate beyond the present, opting for green energy windows becomes a powerful statement. By choosing Technal's Hydro CIRCAL 75R, professionals elevate the quality and appeal of their designs and contribute to a brighter, greener future. The time for change is now, and the path to sustainability is clear—choose green energy windows with Technal and be a part of the positive transformation our planet so desperately needs.

Explore our range of low-carbon windows for residential and commercial projects. Contact us right away for a no-obligation quote with a quick turnaround time.