Control Natural Light With the Turn of a Dial

Kimberly Sweet, Editor
September 1, 2002
Professional Remodeler

“Smart window” technology has made its way from commercial to residential use, letting homeowners control the amount of light and heat that enters the home by turning a dial to darken the window. In addition to conserving energy and providing privacy, smart windows give customers the option of skipping blinds or curtains if they prefer a minimal look.

ThermoView Industries sells Alter-Lite custom windows at www.thermoviewinc.com. The windows have to be wired into the electrical system, similar to doorbell installation.

Using technology patented by Research Frontiers Inc. (www.refr-spd.com) as SPD-Smart, these smart windows contain millions of suspended-particle devices (SPDs) sandwiched between two panes of glass or plastic-coated with a transparent film that conducts electricity. A control knob adjusts the amount of voltage transmitted. With more electricity, the SPDs align and allow light to pass through; with less, the SPDs fall in a random pattern and block the light.

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