July 9th, 2010
Low-e stands for low emissivity, which is a quality or measurement of how much heat a surface gives off. All surfaces and materials absorb, reflect or remit energy and the lower the “e” rating, the lower the amount of heat the surface will give off. Using low-e products will help make your home more energy efficient. Windows that have low-e rated glass have a special coating that keeps radiant heat on the same side of the glass from which it originates. In the summer, they provide insulation from the hot sun while at the same time allowing visible light to pass through. In turn, heat radiating from the furnace in the winter months is reflected back inside keeping your home warm. Aside from windows, there are many other applications of low-e products as well. Some of the most common are roofing, reflective insulation, house wraps, pipe wraps and even paint.
