Did you know that an average household will spend approximately 40 percent of their annual budget on heating and cooling costs? Did you know that windows are responsible for as much as 30 percent of the total cooling loads in a commercial building?
Both of these facts come from the Department of Energy. The question is what product can reduce your energy costs and pay for itself in a relatively short period of time? Window Film. You may have heard of it but have you incorporated window film into your energy conservation plan? Here are five reasons why window film is worth your investment:
1. Are all window films dark or silver? No. Energy efficient glass coatings today may be undetectable on glass, allowing you the ability to see in and out of your glass clearly. Over the last several years, new products have been developed to reduce the heat and keep your views as natural as possible while adding minimal color to the glass.
2. How will reducing the ultra violet radiation benefit my commercial building? Most films on the market today reduce 96 to 99 percent of ultra violet rays. Ultra violet rays cause a major portion of the fading inside a building. In addition, many window film manufacturers are endorsed by The Skin Cancer Foundation with a Seal of Recommendation. This seal signifies that the manufacturer produces a product which has proven to be safe and effective against ultra violet radiation. Reducing your exposure to ultra violet radiation will help protect you against skin cancer, eye issues and other various health ailments. Go to www.skincancer.org to learn more.
3. How much heat will window films reduce? Today, products reduce up to 85 percent of the heat, which will aid in decreasing the wear and tear on your HVAC system. Many buildings today have issues with one side of the building being too hot while the other side is too cold. Window films will assist in increasing tenant comfort by balancing the temperature throughout the building. Increasing tenant comfort could lead to maintaining tenants and limiting turnover.
4. Do window films qualify for tax credits and utility rebates? Yes they do. The current federal tax credit will allow up to a $500 credit on window film installed in 2013. Some commercial buildings have received thousands of dollars in utility rebates through programs with their local utility company. Check with your energy provider for details and eligibility.
5. Does window film have credibility? Yes on two fronts. First, the Department of Energy conducted a study in 2011 which compared 50 commercial energy conservation technologies. It was determined that window film was a top tier solution based on payback time, probability of success and overall energy savings. More importantly, window film was one of four technologies with the fastest payback and highest probability of success. Secondly, CONSOL, a leading consulting firm (www.consol.com), used the Department of Energy modeling software and determined that payback on a single pane of glass could be as little as 1.4 years. Plus it could provide a savings of 19kWh/square foot of installed film. Interestingly, if every home in California had window film installed, carbon emissions would be reduced by 8.8 percent. This prompted the State of California to update their building code to include window film. You can go to the CONSOL website to learn more.
Multiple Benefits from Window Film
Window films work around the clock 7/24, 365 days a year. From the moment you install the product, your company will immediately start benefitting. Your window treatments do not need to be closed in order for window film to work. You can open your window treatments, look out the windows and feel the difference. What other energy efficient product will reduce your energy consumption, protect your interior from fade and safeguard you and your coworkers from damaging skin issues and pay for itself in a short period of time?
Donna Wells is currently the international wholesale manager for Window Film Depot. Window Film Depot is an authorized 3M dealer partnering with general contractors, architects, building owners and interior designers for more than a decade. Window Film Depot has received numerous accolades from various business partners. Window Film Depot Wholesale division oversees clientele in the United States as well as internationally. “My goal as the wholesale manager is to strengthen the bond between Window Film Depot and each individual client,” Well says. “I focus on educating the client about window film. I conduct webinars as well as travel for speaking and training engagements.”
