Smart Windows

Smart windows, which automatically switch from clear to tinted to control heat and light, could soon become more widely adopted, resulting in more comfortable living spaces and lower energy costs. Conventional windows can lose up to a third of the energy used to ventilate, heat, and cool, making smart windows an attractive option. The University of British Columbia has developed a new method to make glass change colour in response to electricity, which could lead to more cost-effective production of smart windows. Early testing of similar technology in US airports has shown temperatures about 15C cooler on sunny days, and travellers prefer the areas with smart windows. However, smart windows currently cost five to ten times more than conventional windows.