PITTSBURGH - January 25, 2007 - Although environmental consciousness is often times associated with the outdoors, an increasing concern over energy conservation has broadened the demand to protect the inside of homes and buildings, as well. Aligning with emerging industry trends, innovative thinkers at Pittsburgh Corning have taken a major step above their competitors to improve the performance of their glass block with the introduction of the first energy efficient glass block option, the INSOLAR™ Low E glass block product.
Combining aesthetic features, light transmission and privacy control with improved energy performance, Pittsburgh Corning glass block provides the perfect option for continued design flexibility and energy conservation for residential and commercial applications. INSOLAR Low E glass block is manufactured with patent pending technology to reduce both heating and cooling loads, improve comfort and decrease glare to protect against the harmful effects of UV rays on furnishings and building materials such as paint, fabric and natural wood.
INSOLAR Low E glass block features an improved U-factor and solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) which benefits architects and builders by minimizing building operating costs when used for window, exterior wall and stairwell applications. In accordance with the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) standards, an 8-inch by 8-inch by two-inch INSOLAR glass block used in a LightWise® window provides 41 percent reduction in solar heat gain and 23 percent increase in insulation value to help satisfy the emerging International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). The 8-inch by 8-inch by 4-inch INSOLAR glass block used in a mortar application shows a reduction of 34 percent in solar heat gain and an improvement of 11 percent in U-value.
Additionally, the INSOLAR Low E glass block received an Energy Star component rating for its ability to improve the performance of glass block windows. Therefore, based upon energy performance criteria set by the DOE for different climate zones, windows produced with the INSOLAR component can qualify for Energy Star Rating and allow for a 10 percent energy tax credit according to the 2006/2007 Energy Tax Code.
LightWise windows produced by Pittsburgh Corning qualify for the Energy Star Rating in the three of the four Energy Star climate zones. INSOLAR Low E glass blocks are available in 8-inch by 8-inch by 4-inch sizes for commercial construction; and in the 8-inch by 8-inch by 2-inch and the 8-inch by 8-inch by 3-inch blocks for use in residential window applications. All sizes of the INSOLAR Low E glass block are available in the DECORA® and IceScapes® patterns.
Pittsburgh Corning Glass Block products are available from authorized Pittsburgh Corning distributors and retailers across the country. For more information, readers can call Pittsburgh Corning's Glass Block Resource Center at 800-624-2120 or visit www.pittsburghcorning.com.
CONTACT:
Bob DeGusipe, (724) 327-6100
Pittsburgh Corning Corporation
Jennifer Kramer, (216) 373-8264
Liggett Stashower
jkramer@liggett.com