Difference Between Argon and Krypton Gas fillers For Windows

Argon vs Krypton Gas fillers For windows

In homes as well as office, the issue of using energy efficient material for building is significantly gaining attention from many sectors of the society.

For example, new technology these days uses energy efficient windows with double panes that are filled with gas to save energy.

Argon and krypton are the most commonly used gas fillers for these windows but they are different in many respects.

Therefore, in order to understand clearly the difference between argon and krypton gas fillers for windows, it is imperative to begin by explaining what argon and krypton gases are.

Basically, argon and krypton are non-toxic and inert gases that are used between double glass panes in a bid to increase insulation as well as energy efficiency instead of using natural air.

It can also be observed that both argon and krypton gas fillers are odorless and colorless. However, these two gases are different in quite a number of factors.

The main difference is that argon gas fillers are more common than krypton gas fillers.

Key characteristics of Argon Gas

Argon is cheaper than krypton gas but it can also be noted that it is more expensive than nitrogen gas. It costs more than five times dry nitrogen but all the same, it is used as the preferred window gas filler.

Economically, argon gas is cheaper to use as window gas filler.

Argon is more readily available gas since its concentration in the atmosphere is higher than that of krypton gas. It constitutes about 1 % of the earth’s atmosphere and it is often viewed as the most abundant among other gases in the atmosphere. Its availability makes it the preferred gas window filler in different instances.

In terms of performance, it can be noted that argon gas filled windows lag behind krypton gas windows. Indeed, the cost measure determines the popularity of this type of gas but in real terms its performance is lower than that of krypton gas. Many people are motivated by the cost factor but in real terms the aspect of efficiency lags behind.

The other feature of argon gas is that it is commonly used in windows found in residential places. In most cases, windows found in homes are comparatively smaller than those in commercial buildings that can be extremely large.

Therefore, the performance of argon gas filler can be effective in reasonably smaller but wide window panes that are found in many homes.

The main reason for this is that argon gas fillers are appropriate for double window panes with wider width. Normally, argon gas fillers perform best in windows with a width of about half an inch.

Large volumes of this type of gas are required to provide appropriate insulation since it is naturally not that good in serving the purpose of insulating the windows.

Key characteristics of krypton gas

Krypton gas is very expensive compared to argon gas. It costs more than 100 times that of argon gas. This can also be attributed to the extraction process of the gas which is costly compared to Argon. In economic terms, krypton gas becomes expensive to use as filler for windows.

The other aspect is that the concentration of krypton gas is lower in the atmosphere. It can be observed that the concentration of krypton gas in the atmosphere constitutes a negligible one part per million. This translates into its scarcity and is the main reason why it is not commonly used as gas window filler.

Apart from the aspect of cost, the other notable feature about krypton gas is that it is more efficient to use in windows compared to argon gas. It is comprised of components that make it ideal for different forms of windows and it performs better compared to argon gas.

Krypton gas is ideal for narrow and triple window panes of a width of about a quarter inch. In narrow window panes, the performance of krypton gas is at its best since this kind of width gives the most appropriate compression required to serve energy while at the same time enhancing efficiency.

The other important feature of krypton gas window filler is that it is ideal for commercial buildings that are characterized by large but narrow window panes. Performance of this type of gas filler is high in large window panes that are also narrow and used on most office buildings. The reason behind this is that krypton gas is a better insulator and can be used on a larger surface.

Summary of the difference between Argon and Krypton Gas fillers for windows

Frequency of use

• The main difference between these two types of gas fillers is that Argon gas is commonly used than krypton gas.
• Krypton gas is less frequently used due to a number of factors that include its availability as well as cost as indicated below.

Cost

• Argon is cheaper and this can be attributed to its extraction process which is relatively lower compared to krypton gas.
• Krypton gas is more expensive than argon gas and this is the reason why the later is preferred for filling windows. On the other hand, it can be seen that the extraction process of krypton gas is more expensive than argon

Efficiency

• Argon gas filled window panes are less efficient compared to krypton filled windows
• Krypton gas filled window panes are more efficient. This gas is a better insulator and its performance is quite better compared to argon gas.

Availability

• Concentration of argon is higher in the atmosphere. This makes it readily available and the main reason why it is commonly used for filling window panes.
• Concentration of krypton gas is lower in the atmosphere. For this reason, its use is not very common in different scenarios.

Appropriateness in use

• Argon gas window filler is appropriate for wider and double window panes in most cases. These windows are often found in homes and they have a width of about half an inch. However, the windows need to be of average size.
• Krypton gas window filler is commonly used in narrow and triple window panes. These window panes have a width of about a quarter inch and their size is usually large. This type of gas filler is appropriate for commercial buildings that are characterised by large window panes that cover large surfaces.

Table Showing the Difference Between Argon and Krypton gas Fillers for Windows

Conclusion

With new technology these days, people are increasingly becoming aware of the significance of using energy efficient building materials when constructing different structures. The most common technology in this regard pertains to the use of energy efficient windows that are comprised of gas filled window panes.

Argon and krypton gasses are the commonly used in filling windows since they have components that help to resist heat and cold while at the same time enhancing energy efficiency. However, these gases are different in many aspects and the major difference between them is that argon gas is commonly used compared to krypton gas.

Argon gas is characterised by a number of features that make it popular compared to krypton gas. As noted, argon gas is relatively cheaper and its concentration is high in the atmosphere. Argon is also commonly used in homes.

However, krypton gas is more efficient than argon gas though it is expensive. The other notable aspect is that krypton gas is a better insulator compared to argon gas by virtue of its excellent performance standards. This is the other reason why krypton gas is commonly used commercial buildings that are comprised of large but narrow window panes.

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