In our last post, we explored how installing window film can reduce the annual total cooling energy consumption of a building by up to 35% by reducing solar heat gain and can even deliver overall cost and CO2 emissions savings of up to 3%. Today, we’ll review a study that explored how low-E window films impacted energy consumption and CO2 emissions on that same hotel.
With greenhouse gas emissions on the rise, many businesses are looking for ways to improve the energy efficiency of their buildings. So researchers in the United Kingdom decided to study the impact of low-emissivity (Low-E) window film — Thinsulate Climate Control 75 — on the energy consumption of a U.K. hotel. Here’s what they found.
Why Was Low-E Film Tested?
While sun control window films are quite effective at lowering cooling energy consumption by reducing the solar gain and light transmittance, these films are often most suitable for a hot climate. The reason sun control films are less useful in cold climates is that their effectiveness in reducing solar gain might actually result in an increase in heating demand.
Sun control films do a great job of reducing cooling demand, but Thinsulate films excel at reducing total annual energy consumption. So because of the weather where this hotel was located, researchers opted to use Low-E film, which contributes to energy savings through reductions in both heat gain and heat loss.
Generating the Energy-Saving Results
First, researchers used EDSL TAS software to simulate the thermal performance of the building and estimate the building’s energy consumption. Once the estimated energy consumption was determined, researchers then validated those numbers against the actual energy consumption data to ensure the simulation would be reliable. Then it was time to apply the Low-E window films to the verified model and calculate the savings.
By applying Thinsulate films, the hotel was able to realize simulated savings in heating (3%), cooling (20%), and total energy (2.7%) consumption while also achieving 4.1% savings in annual CO2 emissions and 5.1% savings in total energy costs.
That translates into a reduced need for heating and cooling during extreme weather periods and is a clear advantage of Thinsulate films over sun-blocking window films.
How Fine Line Glass Tinting Can Reduce Energy Consumption
Not sure what the right window film for your home or business is? Fine Line Glass Tinting has been serving the greater Houston areas for more than 30 years, which gives us the experience you can count on when it comes to choosing the right window tint for your needs. Whether you’re a multistory office building or a single-family home, we’re ready to provide a free consultation that shows you what film can help you be more energy efficient while also saving you money.
And thanks to our expert installers’ combined experience of more than 100 years, you’ll know your job will always be completed to our exacting standards. Contact us today for your complimentary evaluation.