How Sun Control & Solar Control  Window Films Save Energy

The movement or transfer of heat from a region of higher temperature to one of cooler temperature is called heat transfer. The transfer of heat always flows from hot to cold. No heat will transfer if there is no difference in temperature.

Heat transfer occurs three ways: Radiation, Conduction, and Convection.  Concerning sun control window film, radiation is the most important method of heat transfer because it moves infrared waves. This is why solar control specialist refer to solar energy as solar radiation.

Solar energy through a glass window is transferred or transmitted by infrared waves. Radiant energy is converted to heat when it strikes people or objects. If you stop & block the transfer of this energy, you keep it from turning into heat because it never strikes an object. Solar Control window film interrupts the transfer of this energy by reflecting the energy back out.

Transmission is basically the percentage of Solar energy ( Visible Light + Near Infrared + Ultraviolet, UV) that can passes through a glass window. Reflection is the ratio of solar energy reflected back to the source, expressed as a percentage, %.  Absorption is the percentage of solar energy absorbed to that of the total solar energy.

With sun control window film installed on the inside of a window, the proportions are changed dramatically, with reflected energy and absorption increasing. This corresponds to a reduction in solar heat transmitted inside the room or the automobile. The properties of the window film dramatically influence how and in what way transmission, reflection and absorption change.

How lowering the temperature saves & conserves energy

Only a few degrees in temperature reduction can have up to a 25% reduction in cooling costs, due to the laws of thermodynamics. It requires considerable amounts of energy to remove heat from a room through air conditioning. During peak summer times in the middle of the day (10AM to 4PM), loads on air conditioning systems can be reduced enough to turn off entire units or to install a less costly system.

In addition to the energy saving benefits, solar control window film can increase thermal comfort, reduce glare, while at the same time rejecting 99% of the UV radiation reducing fading and the risk of skin cancer.

Quantify the benefits of window film before you buy

Solar control, sun control, window films provide one of the top energy saving solutions available for your building. It can be installed quickly and professionally, allowing you to begin realizing your energy saving goals without delay.

Using the solar control conservation kit, your solar control specialist can estimate your long term energy savings and a projected payback period based on your window film choice. In addition, rebates and tax credits can be applied to offset initial costs, accelerating your return on investment. Long term savings and comfort benefits go on for years and years.

When considering your film options, examine multiple factors and performance specifications. Custom reports generated by the solar control conservation kit helps you quantify energy savings and comfort enhancements, providing you with data and recommendations for window film installation.

Building information modeling

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a sophisticated energy analysis process that simulates projected energy savings due to window film installation. BIM provides an anticipated return on investment (ROI) payback schedule for window film projects before film is applied, assuring you that energy savings will be achieved.

To help our dealers provide BIM services solar control specialist have developed a conservation kit to analyze your needs and generate reports that illustrate how different films will perform, so that you can make an informed decision. After looking at scenarios and data from your project, an energy-saving window film strategy is recommended. Our solar control specialist can also suggest tools for validating the results once the film has been installed.

Energy audit tools
SCF  has developed a suite of software for BIM simulations to perform energy analysis on a variety of structures, from small offices to large complex commercial buildings. For highest accuracy, the software is selected for each project individually, based upon the type of building, its size and shape, the type of windows and the facades.

Audit services
The SCF specialist has comprehensive experience and knowledge in the field of energy. The team’s qualifications include over 20 years in the industry conserving energy.  SCF can provide a full range of conserving services that include:

·         BIM simulations

·         Recommendations for the most cost effective or efficient approach to energy projects

Energy audit standards
The SCF team uses reliable, industry approved standards for all calculations. DOE-2 and ASHRAE 90.1 calculation procedures drive all Solar Control building information modeling.

The energy saving audit process
If you need a BIM analysis to justify your window film purchase, request an analysis from your local Solar Control specialist & dealer. You will be asked to provide the following information to complete the request:

·         Location of the building and building orientation (N, S, E, W)

·         Number of stories and number of occupants

·         Floor area and shape

·         Glass area for each facade and shading of windows from awnings, trees, etc.

·         Type of heating and cooling system, including power and efficiency, cost per kWh

• Check your local bill for cost per kWh
• If you can’t find it, divide your total bill by # of kWh used

·         Location of vents and thermostats as well as the thermostat settings

Solar control specialist consultants will choose the appropriate resources and tools to complete the simulation. In certain instances, multiple scenarios can be run to evaluate different options.

As ROI analysis becomes the norm rather than the exception for commercial building projects, consider the solar control kit to help shorten approval cycles or to meet tax credit or rebate requirements for energy-saving window film.