The massive energy savings potential of high performing windows remains largely untapped in the European Union.
If properly implemented, the 2018-amended Energy Performance of Buildings Directive could provide the right legislative framework to overcome the remaining barriers which still prevent savings from state-of-the-art windows to be realised.
In a common position paper, the building glass, facade and window industries represented by European Aluminium, EuroWindoor, ES-SO, FAECF and Glass for Europe propose to pursue 3 key objectives to maximise the contribution of windows to ensure a decarbonised building stock by 2050:
- Increasing the replacement rate of windows as part of the long-term renovation strategy
- Using the “energy balance” approach to assess the energy performance of windows
- Recognising the benefits of daylight, natural ventilation and solar management
