Summary and Conclusion, Miljøstyrelsen

Substitution af SF₆ i lydisolerende vinduer

Summary and Conclusion

This report presents the results of the project "Substitution of SF₆ in sound-insulating windows" under the development programme of the Danish Environmental Protection Agency "Programme on Cleaner Products". SF₆ is a potent greenhouse gas, which is non-desirable. By far the largest consumption of SF₆ in Denmark is for sound-insulating windows. It is the aim of this project to identify alternative solutions to the use of SF₆ in sound-insulating windows, with the same sound-insulating effect.

By way of introduction, the report describes the background of the project and gives a short introduction to the construction of glazing and windows, as well as measurement and rating of the sound insulation.

The first part of the project includes determination of the aims for development of alternatives to the use of SF₆ in sound-insulating windows. On the basis of an overview of the present consumption of SF₆, an analysis of the problem, extent, and needs are summarised. The first test series of the project, and the aims for development of alternatives are also summarised. There is a distinction here between ordinary windows with moderate requirements for sound insulation and special windows with high requirements for sound insulation. There is also a distinction between sound insulation against road traffic noise in residential areas and sound insulation against noise from normal trains at high speed.

The second part of the project includes analyses and tests of alternatives to the use of SF₆ in sound-insulating windows. The results indicate that several of the possible changes in glazing type selected fulfil the aims for sound insulation. The most comprehensive changes are those which are included to fulfil the requirements on sound insulation against noise from trains and for special windows with high requirements.

Finally, a number of examples of possible alternatives to the use of SF₆ are summarised, together with a general building, energy and financial evaluation of the glazing types selected.

On the background of the analyses and testing of selected realistic solutions for relevant window and glazing types, it is concluded that, with relatively simple technical means, it is possible to substitute the use of SF₆ in sound-insulating windows through changes in the glazing construction.