Industry Officials Predicted an External Films Revolution

"With the U.S. glass and glazing industries moving steadily toward a triple-pane standard, it is inevitable that window film providers will want to provide a suitable competing product. With triple-pane insulating units, the threat of stress fracture is increased exponentially. For this reason, external films have become prevalent in Europe where triple pane and sloped glazing is already widely in use."

Perhaps in preparation for this, U.S. window film manufacturers have begun to unveil external products, which use pressure sensitive adhesives. Several industry officials sat down with WINDOW FILM magazine at last year’s SEMA Show in Las Vegas to discuss the implications of glass technology and external films for the American market. Nearly a year later, as the U.S. Department of Energy spurring the glazing industry on toward higher efficiency, it appears the views of these industry officials have proven to be on par.

“In Europe, in cases where it’s even iffy, the installers will not take chances,” explained Yochi Solna, product and sales manager for Hanita Coatings. “They just started putting on exterior films to be sure. And that developed into a huge market.”

Solna said the concept took hold in Europe and he expected the same to hold true for the U.S., as glazing becomes increasingly advanced.

“I would speculate maybe 30 percent of the film that is installed in Europe is exterior film-all because the installer wants to be sure that glass breakage will not occur,” he said.

Read more at http://www.windowfilmmag.com/index.php/archives/527

The U.S. Department of Energy has proclaimed October as Energy Awareness Month to help Americans use less energy and reduce carbon emissions.

Window film is one of the smartest ways to make existing buildings more energy-efficient and save on energy bills. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), one of the world’s top energy research centers, reported that, “The most cost-effective options in terms of payback period are adding window films to existing windows, using mini-blinds (or some type of internal window shade), and planting trees around the sunny sides of a building.”

Recognized by the U.S. Department of Energy and the Clinton Climate Initiative, window film provides energy-related savings as well as other benefits. Homeowners and facility managers can reap tremendous benefits from professionally-installed window film:

• Cut air conditioning bills up to 30 percent: By rejecting 79 percent of solar energy, window film keeps a room cooler and more comfortable. In commercial buildings, window film reduces the HVAC load and can significantly reduce the use of cooling systems.
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• A cost-effective alternative: Professionally installed window film costs just $3.50 to $12.00 ft2 on average — considerably less than replacement glass. LBNL found that window film tops the ROI list when competing with window replacements, blinds, awnings, shade trees and reflective roofs.
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• Improve the ROI of other energy-saving products: Window film multiplies the return on investment of other technologies such as HVAC and refrigeration. For LEED certification, window film can be applied toward six distinct credit categories.

 Further, only these two brands offer building managers and homeowners in-depth custom energy analyses that calculate energy savings and help building managers, architects and engineers choose the right window film for their project.

Few products offer as many benefits as window film. In addition to energy savings, window film also offers UV protection to reduce the risk of skin cancer and the fading of furnishings as well as safety enhancements to reduce the risk of broken glass.

For more information visit http://www.climatepro.com

No matter how large the problem may appear, the fact remains that each of us is a part of the solution. Every day, each of us makes decisions that can stimulate sustainability and a new energy economy. When we put all the pieces together, all of us — the Federal Government, private industry, and the public — have the means to shape our energy future and move our nation toward energy independence.

October has been Energy Awareness Month since a presidential proclamation in 1991. For more than 15 years, government organizations — in partnership with businesses, associations, and concerned citizens — have observed this month with activities and programs to promote public understanding of our energy needs and to reduce energy consumption in our everyday lives.

October is a great time to get started on the path toward energy savings —

Find out what you can do!

Learn what you can do at work to save energy, participate in ENERGY STAR campaigns, and much more.

Find out what your organization can do!

Take the ENERGY STAR Challenge, get active in your community, and team up with other businesses to help build a better world.

Interesting article on examiner.com about 5 different ways a homeowner could save money. Notice number 3 is to apply window film.

The thought of “going green” in your home can be daunting. There are so many ways to make a difference that we can get bogged down with information overload, unable to determine what the first step is. Read on for five simple things you can do now to start making an impact. 

1. Buy a fan. Instead of automatically turning on the AC try putting fans in your main living areas. Fans use significantly less energy, therefore reducing the amount of fossil fuels burned.

2. Use CFLs in utility areas. Replace your incandescent bulbs with compact flourescents in utility areas such as laundry rooms, garages, and hallways.

3. Energy efficient window treatments. Install solar shades, thermal blinds, or drapery panels to keep it cool during the summer and warmer in winter. If you live in a very hot climate consider applying window film, it can considerably reduce the heat and damaging UV rays that enter your home.

4. Use non-toxic cleaning products that are safe for you and the environment. Buy cleaning products that are biodegradable, phosphate and chlorine free, and derive their ingredients from plants (renewable sources) rather than petrochemicals like crude oil or natural gas (which are not renewable). There are a number of green cleaning lines, including companies such as Seventh Generation, Simple Green and Method. Always check the labels to ensure the ingredients are listed.

5. Buy recycled paper products and unbleached coffee filters. Standard white coffee filters require a bleaching process which unnecessarily pollutes the environment. Opt for brown unbleached filters and purchase paper products that have recycled content.

For more info: Green Interior Designer San Francisco

View the blog post at www.examiner.com