A TRY 13.2 Billion Savings Potential Through Insulating Glass

As the world continues to grapple with rising energy costs and the climate crisis, approximately 30 percent of energy consumption in our country occurs in buildings. Ebru Şapoğlu, Sales General Manager Assistant at Şişecam, noted that 40 percent of energy loss due to insufficient insulation in buildings originates from walls and 30 percent from windows, and stated that it is possible to benefit from a new insulation loan package with a monthly repayment of TRY 666. Şapoğlu continued as follows: "Considering that 40 percent of existing residential units in our country still use single-pane glass and 50 percent use standard double-pane glass, replacing these windows with coated insulation glass could result in annual savings of up to TRY 13.2 billion in heating expenses." As the world continues to address rising energy costs and climate crisis, approximately 30 percent of energy consumption in our country occurs in buildings. In buildings that account for such a significant share of energy consumption, the cost of heat loss to both our planet and our budgets is gaining increasing importance. Pointing out that 40 percent of energy loss due to insufficient insulation in buildings stems from walls and 30 percent from windows, Şişecam Sales General Manager Assistant Ebru Şapoğlu continued as follows: "In our country, 40 percent of the existing housing stock uses single-pane glass, 50 percent uses double-pane glass, and 10 percent uses coated insulation glass units. If windows in single- and double-pane residences are replaced with coated insulation glass, annual savings from heating expenses could reach TRY 13.2 billion. Considering that we spend more energy on cooling than on heating, the savings amount could increase even further." Emphasizing that the Insulation Loan scheme announced by the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources is a highly encouraging and exciting development for the country, Şapoğlu made the following comments on the matter: "We believe this development will encourage end consumers facing high heating expenses and wishing to improve insulation in their residences, apartment buildings or complexes, as well as building or complex managers, and will support the trend towards energy savings. Of course, there is a cost involved in replacing windows. The 'Insulation Loan' provides significant advantages in meeting this cost. The savings from heating and cooling expenses contribute from an environmental to an economic perspective."

TRY 25,000 in savings after 5 years

Drawing attention to the fact that end consumers benefiting from the Insulation Loan will save money on their bills without compromising natural daylight, Ebru Şapoğlu continued with an example comparing costs and savings: "An end consumer living in a 100-square-meter apartment with 15 square meters of window glass area, if wishing to replace their single-pane windows with energy-saving frames and coated insulation glass (Isıcam K), would need to set aside a budget of approximately TRY 30,000-35,000. An end consumer utilizing the 'Insulation Loan' can make this replacement with a TRY 30,000 loan with monthly repayments of TRY 666, a term of up to 60 months, and an interest rate of 0.99 percent. As a result of this replacement, the consumer can save TRY 2,700 in the first year of bills, and considering increases in heating and cooling expenses over the years, it is expected to achieve approximately TRY 25,000 in savings by the end of 5 years. Gains increase even further with triple insulation glass. As the insulating capacity of the glass increases, savings figures also increase." Emphasizing the importance of implementing necessary technical support and inspection procedures to ensure insulation loans are used for energy-saving materials, Ebru Şapoğlu continued: "For consumers who decide to replace their frames and windows with insulation credit, using the correct glass in the correct place is also very important for efficiency. In addition to providing glass consultation for projects, Şişecam offers considerable support to help end consumers increase comfort levels in their homes while reducing heating and cooling expenses. We continue to provide support and information through our digital channels, call center, and Isıcam Authorized Manufacturers." Noting that Şişecam operates in all major areas of glass and is one of the world's largest flat glass producers, and continues its research and development and investment activities at full speed with a sustainability approach at the center to leave a more livable world for future generations, Ebru Şapoğlu stated, "Şişecam continues to provide innovative solutions to changing and evolving needs. With our 'Isıcam Systems' for thermal insulation, we provide energy savings in buildings while playing an important role in combating climate change. For this, we serve with different products tailored to different needs. 'Isıcam K', produced with high-quality heat and solar control coated glass, provides effective thermal insulation and solar control by reducing heat loss by 50 percent and reducing solar heat gain by 40 percent through its special coating. Triple insulation glass 'Isıcam K 3+', which provides maximum thermal insulation and solar control and is produced using two coated panes, reduces solar heat gain by 48 percent and heat loss by 77 percent."

We played an active role in gifting 33 million trees to nature

Making statements about the environmental contribution of economical products during this period when combating climate change is extremely important, Şişecam Sales General Manager Assistant Ebru Şapoğlu concluded her remarks as follows: "By using coated insulation glass instead of single-pane glass in a residence, 2 oak trees are gifted to nature annually, and by using coated insulation glass instead of double-pane glass, 1 oak tree is gifted to nature annually. This also enables reducing annual carbon emissions of 7 million tons. With the Isıcam brand, we have produced approximately 220 million square meters of Isıcam over 49 years. While providing 15.5 billion cubic meters of energy savings with Isıcam, we played an active role in gifting 33 million trees to nature. In other words, we created an Isıcam forest equivalent in size to more than 30,800 football fields or 5 Sapanca Lakes."