Window Film solutions for business owners

Oct. 8, 2009 - PRLog -- Description

Spanning four blocks in the heart of San Francisco’s prime commercial district, Embarcadero Center is one of the largest mixed-use complexes in the western United States. In 2004, the center’s property managers approved the installation of 3MTM Night Vision Window Film to reduce heat gain and glare, while preserving the views. The project resulted in substantial cost and energy reductions, including a $344,000 Pacific Gas and Electric rebate, a more than 3 million kilowatt-hour annual reduction in energy demand, and a less than one-year payback period. The installation also included a benefit that was not initially considered — a substantial reduction in ultraviolet (UV) rays for improved health and safety of tenants and increased protection for interior furnishings.

Problem

Embarcadero Center’s four office towers provide breathtaking views of the San Francisco landscape. However, tenants on the south, east and west sides of the buildings often needed to close off the beautiful panoramas with heavy draperies to cover the 345,000 square feet of windows that invited intense heat gain and glare when the sun was beating down during the day. “Many of our tenants chose the Embarcadero Center office towers because of the views,” says Danny Murtagh, Director of Engineering for Boston Properties, which owns and manages the Embarcadero Center complex. “So, naturally, they were not entirely satisfied when they had to cover their windows to stay comfortable on bright, sunny days.” In addition, maintaining a comfortable temperature throughout the four buildings during California’s sunny days was an ongoing — and expensive — challenge.

Solution

After spending several years investigating various options to reduce heat gain and reflectivity and improve tenant comfort, Embarcadero Center property managers eventually zeroed in on window film. “We watched window film technology evolve over the years to the point where we felt we were ready to bring it to our four office towers,” Murtagh says. “Our original goals for a window film installation centered on energy savings and tenant comfort. However, during our investigation, we realized another substantial benefit that we hadn’t initially considered — a significant reduction in UV rays. This had the potential to improve the health and safety of our tenants and reduce wear and tear on their furnishings. We quickly realized that installing window film would be a win-win for everyone.”

The company interviewed several window film manufacturers and dealers and extensively reviewed their capabilities. Ultimately, Murtagh says, they chose Climate Insulating Products, a 3M Authorized Dealer. The deciding factors included the performance of 3M’s Night Vision Window Film product line, as well as the company’s worldwide reputation and product warranties. According to Brett Terry, General Manager of Climate Insulating Products, the 3M Night Vision Window Film was the perfect choice for Embarcadero Center: “We used 3MTM Night Vision 25 on the building’s south, east and west sides because of the film’s superior ability to reduce solar heat and decrease glare. We knew that the film would help accomplish the Embarcadero Center’s goals to reduce costs and energy consumption, allow tenants to enjoy clear views both day and night, and reduce tenants exposure to harmful UV rays.” Often, films that reduce solar heat and glare are so reflective that they’re difficult to see through, especially at night. 3M Night Vision Window Film Blocks solar heat by up to 75 percent, reduces glare by up to 83 percent, and cuts down on UV rays by up to 99 percent — all while preserving views. The same technology that tones down reflectivity also makes the film color-stable, ensuring that the color won’t change over time.


Results

As soon as the window film installation project was underway, tenants began reporting improvements, Murtagh recalls: “In fact, we even got a couple of calls asking us to turn down the air- conditioning. Now, on that warm southern face of the building, some tenants were cold!” But the paybacks didn’t stop with tenant comfort alone. Four years later, Murtagh says the complex is saving more than three million kilowatt-hours in energy consumption each year. “The total cost of the project was approximately $650,000,” he states. “That’s a big number. But when you consider that we received a $344,000 rebate from Pacific Gas and Electric for installing the energy efficient window film, and you couple that with calculated average annual energy savings of $320,000, the payback period occurred within the first year after installation. Even better, we’ve continued to enjoy significantly lower operating expenses each year.” Finally, as a testimony to the success of the Embarcadero Center project, several tenants have since hired Climate Insulating Products to install 3M Night Vision film at their own homes.

Project Summary

3M Dealer: Brett Terry, General Manager of Climate Insulating Products
Installation Date: March through October 2004
Window Area Covered: 345,000 square feet
Installation Time: Eight months, with most of the work completed at night
Type of Film: 3M Night Vision 25 on the south, east and west sides of the buildings
Remedies Considered Prior to Window Film Installation: Heavy lined  draperies
Payback Period: Less than one year
Annual Savings: Calculated average annual savings of $320,000 and more than three million kilowatt-hours of energy.
Pacific Gas and Electric Rebate: $344,000

Visit http://www.climatepro.com/ for more details

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Climate Insulating Products specializes in residential, commercial, and industrial window film installations. With over 29 years of experience and thousands of installations we are well established and reliable. Our 3-decade experience provides us with the knowledge, experience and the correct tools to predict your financial benefits. Our proven installation methods and years of experience insure your will receive the correct product for your situation and the correct installation. With offices located in Santa Rosa, Sacramento and San Diego California we can provide installation and support throughout California.