New Report Points to Window Film as the Most Cost Effective Solution for Energy Savings and Reducing Carbon Footprint

New Report Points to Window Film as the Most Cost Effective Solution for Energy Savings and Reducing Carbon Footprint

Jody Wilkinson Accura

 Henriksen/ Butler is a commercial interior design and furnishing company, in Salt Lake City Utah. They are the distributor of Dirtt  Enviromental Solutions. Dirtt makes a high end glass and metal wall system used in prestigious commercial build outs. We have been hired to install our glass graphics film to Dirtt projects throughout the west. The film provides privacy and separation while enhancing the beauty of the wall system.

This install was completed at a car dealership remodel. The client was extremely happy with the final
outcome.

We were contacted to provide installation of safety and security window film and Dow 995 wet glaze attachment to 6700 sq feet of glass at the Seattle City Hall, in downtown Seattle Washington. The film was also deigned with solar control reducing properties, reducing the sun heat and glare in the building. 

The lobby of the courts were determined to pose significant risk to terrorist attack. The massive expanse of glass at street level combined with the density of the crowd were determining factors. 

After 911 attacks the government, through enhanced interrogation techniques, acquired information and terrorist training manuals.  These terrorist manuals recommended that explosive attacks occur in populated areas with large expanses of glass. The explosion is devastating but the percussion blast will cause windows to explode sending deadly shards of glass hurling towards bystanders. 

Window film was determined to be a quick, and economical solution to retro fit thousands of existing government  buildings. This application of specialty window films increase the safety of the glass by retaining glass fragments.  

Wikipedia Safety/ Security Window Film

Noticeable difference from treated and untreated window sun shadows

IWFA determines window film best for reducing energy consumption

Article from window film magazine.

IWFA Report Reveals Window Film as Most Cost-Effective Energy Saving Choice for Californians

Mar 8th, 2012 | By Editor | Category: Featured Content

 An independent analysis has revealed that window film is the most cost-effective energy saving choice for Californians when used in retrofit applications on homes and buildings. The International Window Film Association (IWFA) released the report done by ConSol, a California energy consultant firm.

The study compared the installation of window film to other energy savings measures (updating HVAC systems, air sealing and caulking, adding R-38 ceiling insulation) and concluded that the best opportunities for saving energy with window film are in existing high-rise office buildings. The study also determined that film is a more cost-effective retrofit opportunity for homes than other measures, especially in homes with single pane glass. In addition, the report states that window films “demonstrate an effective means of reducing GHG emissions when used in retrofitting existing buildings.”

“Without a doubt, window film offers an enormous potential for energy savings in the California market in all retrofit remodeling applications,” says Darrell Smith, executive director of the IWFA. “When widely installed, the resulting reduction of peak demand on utilities and greenhouse gases will further the state’s reputation as an environmental leader.”

“With over 70 percent of the buildings and homes in the California market having been constructed before 1980, window film has to be high on the list for every building retrofit project across the state,” says Mike Hodgson, president of ConSol.

ConSol conducted the study using many of the same informational processes that the California Energy Commission utilizes in determining energy savings.

Light Spot Modern Design

Light Spot Modern Design is a high end reputable interior design firm in Salt Lake City Utah. The company sells modern lighting and furniture. Their building is located on Highland Drive in Salt Lake City. Highland Drive is a busy street with a high traffic count. The Light Spot building was conceived to display the products they sell. The company makes a great effort to design their display windows to reflect the high level and quality of the products and services they offer. 

They had a unique sun control problem. The displays they set up were being damaged by the suns ultra violet light in a short amount of time in the west facing display windows. Light Spots solution was to install shades. The problem was the display was no longer on display. 

Light Spot contacted Architectural Window Film. After film samples were installed Light Spot elected   to install Huper Optik Ceramic 60 window film.The results were clear visibility through the windows and virtual elimination of UV light. (99.9%)

A side benefit was also noticed. With the installation of the Huper Optik ceramic film the windows were slightly less reflective at certain times improving interior visibility.

Pre Installation

Finished

1 Front Street San Fancisco CA

1 Front Street is a prestigious building in San Francisco Ca. The building management had problems with solar heat gain coming through the 2399 windows in the building. The sun would heat up exposures of the building causing uneven cooling placing a burden on the cooling system.

After testing, window film was chosen to address  these problems. Architectural Window Film was selected to complete the installation. The 96,000 square feet of window film was installed successfully at night with very little disruption to the building various tenants.

Safety and Security Window Film Movies

Part of our services include installation safety/security films also referred to as fragment retention films and applying "wet glaze" structural adhesive to the film and window frames to establish an "attachment" system. 

Since the terrorist attacks on 9-11-2001 the government has been proactive in establishing risk assessment criteria in all government facilities. The retro fits included lighting, cameras, parking re routing and barricades as well as the application of fragment retention window film. The window film was determined to be a quick cost effective way to ad safety and security to windows.

Discovered terrorist writings and terror manuals indicated by placing explosive devices close to windows more destruction and devastation will result resulting in higher casualties. The bomb blast percussion will send flying shards of glass hundreds of feet past the initial explosion. The goal of the film is to keep the glass fragments together as the window fractures.

Application of material to window, window film and gals frame.

Window testing with treated and untreated windows

Rustler Lodge Alta Utah

                                 

                                                                                             

 The Rustler Lodge in Alta Utah contacted us to address a problem they had with guest room temperatures being to warm. Even in the middle of the winter the building would build up solar heat gain through the south exposure room windows. Because of the buildings 8500 foot location up Little Cottonwood Canyon above the Salt Lake valley they use no chillers for HVAC.  

We applied 3M Scotchtint Amber 35 to reduce infra red heat rays and ultra violet light. The application of film allowed window coverings to remain open so the occupants could enjoy clear visibility of the spectacular views afforded at Alta.

The film solved the problem at the Rustler Lodge by reducing the solar heat gain on the southern exposure allowing for more balance in the overall heating of the building.

AJC Architects Salt Lake City

We were contacted by AJC Architectects in Salt Lake City Utah to address solar control issues with large glass panes of glass. AJC Architects are a well known and very proactive using renewable products and promoting building sustainability.

AJC offices are located in an established building renovated to reclaim and use space from an existing automotive garage. The space is functional and full of charm and personality.


AJC Architects are on the front line, in Utah, promoting US Green Build / LEED certified projects. We are honored to have been able to work with AJC Architectects.

Salt Lake City Fire

Salt Lake City fire stations had an increasing problem with ultra violet sunlight deteriorating the crews fire fighting gear. The very expensive bunker gear is hung by the doors in preparation for quick departures to respond to emergencies.

We were called in to illustrate how window film reduces harmful light and damaging ultra violet light. We also pointed out security window film can increase glass safety and security.

                                                                                                                                                                         Salt Lake budgeted for 14 stations to receive 3400 sq feet of window film on the west, east and south exposures.

Digitaria Salt Lake City Utah

Digitaria, a California company, opened a new office in Salt Lake City hardware building. The office is in a historic building that has been renovated with offices. Its a really cool old building. The office features an industrial look with lots of wood, metal and glass. They had a need for privacy in the office and conference room. Along with the frosted film we installed a logo cut out for office identification.

Here are the pictures.

Rio Tinto Decorative Films

We were contracted by Rio Tinto Corporation in Salt Lake City Utah to provide decorative window film to interior glass panels. The design of the office incorporates glass panels and the need for subtle privacy, but incorporate a design element.

The effect was very pleasing to the client who increased the scope of the job by 250%

Crate & Barrel

Crate & Barrel  in Salt Lake City Utah was the beneficiary of  Huper Optik Ceramic  30 window film. The film was installed to reduce the harshness of the sun glare on the point of purchase counter.

Creative Glass Graphics

Here are some cool graphics using film