What is the insulation effect of smart doors and windows in winter?

1. Why are doors and windows “not insulated” in winter? First understand the 3 key ways of heat loss

In winter, the temperature difference between indoor and outdoor is large, and ordinary doors and windows often become "heat loss disaster areas". There are three main ways to cause the indoor temperature to drop: First, conductive heat dissipation. Metal profiles such as aluminum alloy conduct heat quickly, and the outdoor low temperature is directly transmitted to the indoor through the profiles, resulting in a significant decrease in window temperature. Second, problems such as air leakage from gaps, aging sealing strips, and irregular installation allow outdoor cold air to penetrate through the gaps in doors and windows, causing indoor hot air to escape, forming "Drawing"; the third is radiation heat dissipation. Glass cannot block infrared radiation. Indoor heat is directly radiated to the outdoors through the glass. Especially when the temperature drops significantly at night, the proportion of radiation heat dissipation can reach more than 30%.

Smart doors and windows can block heat loss through these three channels through targeted design. Their thermal insulation effect is far better than that of ordinary doors and windows, becoming an "important line of defense" for keeping homes warm in winter.

2. The “core guarantee” of the thermal insulation effect of smart doors and windows in winter: not only “smart”, but also “insulation structure”

Many people mistakenly believe that “smart functions have nothing to do with thermal insulation”. In fact, the thermal insulation effect of smart doors and windows is the result of the joint action of “insulation structure and intelligent assistance”. The core guarantees focus on the following four points:

Broken bridge profiles: the key to blocking “conduction heat dissipation”

Smart doors and windows generally use "broken bridge aluminum alloy profiles". PA66 insulation strips are added in the middle of the profiles (the thermal conductivity is only 1/300 of aluminum alloys), which blocks heat conduction through the profiles like a "broken bridge". Broken bridge profiles will also be designed with "multi-cavity structures", such as 3-cavity and 4-cavity designs. The air in the cavity can further weaken heat conduction, and the profile alone can reduce conductive heat dissipation by more than 40%. Some high-end products will also fill the profile cavity with thermal insulation cotton to further improve the thermal insulation effect and reduce the temperature difference between the window side temperature and the indoor core area to within 2°C.

Insulated glass: locks in heat and reduces “radiation and convection heat dissipation”

Glass is the core component of thermal insulation. Smart doors and windows mostly use double-layer or triple-layer insulating glass. The middle air layer (or inert gas layer) can effectively block heat convection and radiation:

Double-layer insulating glass (5 20A 5): 20mm air layer can reduce radiation heat dissipation by more than 35%, and with Low-E (low-emissivity) coating, it can reflect more than 90% of infrared rays and prevent indoor heat from being lost through glass radiation;

Triple-layer insulating glass (5 12A 5 12A 5): Two layers of air form a "double thermal insulation barrier". The thermal insulation effect is 25%-30% higher than that of double-layer insulating glass. It is suitable for severe cold areas in the north - below 15℃;

Insulated glass filled with inert gas (argon): Argon gas is denser than air and has lower thermal conductivity. It can further reduce air convection heat dissipation, improve the thermal insulation effect by 15% compared with ordinary insulating glass, and prevent glass from fogging.

Multiple seals: eliminate "air leakage through gaps" and lock indoor heat

Smart doors and windows are far superior to ordinary doors and windows in terms of sealing design. They usually adopt "more than three sealing structures": between the window frame and the fan body, between the glass and the fan body, and between the window frame and the wall, each equipped with EPDM sealing strips (resistant to low temperatures, good elasticity, and can maintain sealing performance below -30°C). Some products will also incorporate a "magnetic sealing" design, which automatically adsorbs the fan body and window frame when closed, and controls the gap width within 0.5mm, almost eliminating air leakage. Actual measurement data shows that multi-channel sealed smart doors and windows can reduce heat loss caused by air leakage by more than 60%, and indoor temperatures can increase by 3-5°C in winter.

Intelligent assistance: making thermal insulation “more active and more accurate”

Although the smart function does not directly "generate heat", it can improve thermal insulation efficiency through "active control":

Timing switch and remote control: You can remotely close the doors and windows through the APP before going out to avoid forgetting to close the windows and causing heat loss; turn on the indoor heating one hour before returning home, and ensure that the doors and windows are closed, so you can enjoy the warmth when you enter the door;
Wind and rain sensor and temperature linkage: If there is strong wind in winter, the wind and rain sensor can automatically close the doors and windows to prevent large amounts of cold air from infiltrating; some high-end systems also support "temperature sensor linkage". When the indoor and outdoor temperature difference exceeds 15°C, the opening angle of the doors and windows will be automatically locked to avoid heat leakage caused by excessive window opening;
Intelligent sunshade linkage: In winter, the sunshade can be opened (or the glass blinds can be adjusted) during the day to allow sunlight to enter the room through the glass for "passive heating"; the sunshade can be closed at night to further reduce glass radiation heat dissipation and form "double insulation."

3. "Actual measurement of thermal insulation effect" of smart doors and windows in different regions in winter: How is the adaptability from south to north?

The thermal insulation effect of smart doors and windows needs to be selected based on regional temperature differences. The measured experience in different regions varies significantly:

Southern region (winter temperature 0-10℃)
Choose smart doors and windows with "Broken Bridge Profile, Double-layer Low-E Insulating Glass, 3-Seal". When the indoor air conditioning is turned on for heating, the set temperature is 22°C, and the temperature at the window can reach 20-21°C. The temperature difference with the indoor core area is only 1-2°C. After turning off the air conditioner, the indoor temperature drops 50% slower than ordinary doors and windows, and the insulation time is extended by 2-3 hours, which can effectively reduce the frequency of turning on the air conditioner and reduce heating energy consumption.

North China (winter temperature - 5 to 5℃)
It is recommended to use "multi-cavity broken bridge profile, double-layer argon-filled Low-E insulating glass, 4-way sealing". When the indoor heating is set to 20°C, the window temperature can reach 18-19°C, with no obvious sense of "cold radiation"; when the outdoor temperature is - 5°C at night, there is no condensation on the inside of the glass (ordinary doors and windows are prone to condensation and ice), to avoid moisture and mold in the window frame due to condensation.

Northeastern region (winter temperature - 15 to - 5℃)
You need to choose "triple-layer insulating glass (5 12A 5 12A 5) multi-cavity bridge-breaking profile 5-way sealing". Some products can also be equipped with "warm edge strips" (to reduce heat dissipation at the edge of the glass). When the indoor heating is set at 22°C, the window temperature can reach over 20°C, and there is no ice on the inside of the glass. Compared with ordinary doors and windows, heating energy consumption in winter can be reduced by 30%-40%, which is especially suitable for families that turn on the heating for a long time.

4. “Tips for thermal insulation” when using smart doors and windows in winter: Upgrade the thermal insulation effect

In addition to choosing smart doors and windows, correct use can also further improve the insulation effect:

Use sunlight to "passive warming" during the day: When there is sufficient sunlight during the day in winter, open the smart sunshades (or adjust the glass blinds) to let direct sunlight shine into the room, using solar energy to raise the room temperature; close the sunshades and doors and windows one hour before sunset in the evening to lock in the heat.

Check the sealing strip regularly: Wipe the sealing strip with a dry cloth every month to avoid dust accumulation that affects the seal; if the strip is slightly deformed, apply silicone-based lubricant (non-oily, to avoid corroding the strip) to maintain elasticity; if the strip ages and cracks, contact after-sales service in time to replace it to avoid air leakage.

Properly set up intelligent linkage: Set "winter mode" in the APP to link doors, windows, air conditioners and sunshades - when the indoor temperature is lower than 18°C, the doors and windows will be automatically closed and the heating equipment will be turned on; when the outdoor wind is greater than level 5, the doors and windows will be automatically locked to prevent air leakage.

6. Summary of final recommendations

The thermal insulation effect of smart doors and windows in winter is "trustworthy". The core lies in its thermal insulation structure of "broken bridge profile, insulating glass and multi-channel sealing", combined with intelligent linkage functions, which can block heat loss from the source and adapt to different winter climates in the north and south. When choosing, you need to consider the local temperature. In the south, double-layer Low-E insulating glass is given priority, while in the north, triple-layer argon-filled glass and multi-cavity profiles are emphasized. At the same time, pay attention to the heat transfer coefficient (K value) of the product. The lower the K value, the better the insulation effect.