Short wave heat energy from the Sun will pass through glass and heat up objects in a room. These objects will re-radiate heat of a longer wavelength that are unable to escape through the glass. As a result the room gets warmer, this is called Passive Solar Gain.
The Greenhouse Effect is a result of Passive Solar Gain. This effect is magnified by Pilkington K glass which reflects more of the long wave heat energy back into the room. This glass has been fitted to Bowater House.
This free heating effect from the sun results in lower fuel bills and therefore less carbon dioxide emissions.
The sun rises in the east and sets in the west. This will have an effect on the level of heat generated by Passive Solar Gain in various parts of the building at different times of the day. Windows facing the east will get the sun in the morning while the windows in the west will be in the sun after midday. You can investigate this effect by looking at data which comes directly from the sensors in the building.
