Window Film Case Studies

3M™ Scotchtint™ Night Vision Window Film

The Embarcadero Center, San Francisco

Description

In the heart of San Francisco’s prime commercial district and spanning five blocks the Embarcadero Center is one of the largest mixed use complexes in the western United States.

The center offers four million square feet of office and retail space which encompasses five office towers with three interconnected shopping levels in four of the towers.

Problem

Whilst these five office towers gave tenants breathtaking panoramas of the city , on the south, east and west side of the buildings the tenants often needed to close heavy curtains over the vast areas of glazing to block the intense heat gain and glare caused by the sun beating down during the day.

Most of the tenants at the Embarcadero Center had chosen offices there because of the view space so naturally they were not very happy when the windows had to be covered to stay comfortable on bright, sunny days. In addition to this, to maintain a comfortable temperature throughout the five buildings during the sunny Californian days was an ongoing, expensive challenge.

Solution

After investigating various options and potential solutions to reduce heat gain and reflectivity, improve tenant comfort and cut down on energy use the Embarcadero Center property eventually zeroed in on window film.

The company interviewed several window film manufacturers and dealers and extensively reviewed their technical capabilities and it was recommended by David Lundquist, president of Climate Insulating Products, the 3M Night Vision window film was the perfect choice for the Embarcadero Center. “We used 3M 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,” says Lundquist. “We knew that alone would greatly improve tenant comfort. But with Night Vision’s low reflectivity, we also knew that tenants would finally have the ability to enjoy clear views both day and night.”

Often, films that reduce solar heat gain and glare are so reflective they are difficult to see through, especially at night. 3M Night Vision film blocks solar heat by up to 59% and UV rays by up to 99% and it reduces glare by up to 72% - all whilst preserving views. The same technology that tones down reflectivity also makes Night Vision film colour stable ensuring that the colour won’t change over time.

Results

Even whilst the window film installation project was underway tenants began reporting improvements, in fact there were some requests to turn down the air-conditioning because now, on the warm southern face of the building, someof the tenants were cold!

Those energy savings are also translating into cost reduction, with an estimated $350,000 savings per year. In addition the Embarcadero Center received a substantial rebate for the window film installation from Pacific Gas and Electric. The energy savings made possible by 3M windo films usually pay back the cost of the film and installation within three to five years; but in the case of the Embarcadero Center, 3M estimates payback could be even sooner. It was also reported that after the installation of 3M Night Vision window film at the Center several tenants hired Climate Insulating products to install the film in their private homes.

3M™ Scotchtint™ Low E Amber Solar Control Film

Hampshire Plaza, Manchester, New Hampshire

The Hampshire Plaza in Manchester, New Hampshire is twenty stories high. In 2001 the building’s manager Tower Realty Group decided that the property needed a total facelift, they decided to install energy efficient window film onto the entire building. Executives of Tower Realty said they expected the window film to increase energy efficiency and reduce the demands placed on the building’s heating and cooling systems, thereby reducing maintenance costs and extending the life of building equipment. They also believed that the window film would add to the overall attractiveness of the refurbished facility. Finally, they knew that window film would provide a safer and more comfortable environment for companies located in the building as well as customers who frequented those businesses.

3M™ Scotchtint™ Low E Amber Solar Control Film was installed to provide relief from heat and glare and help preserve energy.

New Hampshire account representative Tom Dickinson agrees. “In such a short period, the results can be tremendous. The Plaza’s sleek look is appealing to both employees and their clientele. It also allows people working in the building to be more comfortable throughout the workday because this film minimises an temperature imbalance.”

Nottingham Express Transit

The Nottingham Express Transit (NET) was looking for ways to protect the windows of its stock from graffiti and gained the added benefit of improved safety for passengers.

Nottingham opened its first line of the Nottingham Express Transit in March 2004. NET Line One saw over 500,000 passengers using the line in the first month – putting the system on-target to achieve 8.5 million passengers in the first year.

One of the concerns prior to opening was that of graffiti on the windows. Clive Pennington, Engineering Manager Nottingham Express Transit says: “We have strict performance criteria covering measure such as time and removal of graffiti. We decided to look for preventative measures – ways to prevent graffiti and ease removal.

The answer was 3M™ Scotchshield™ Window Film. The film acts as a sacrificial layer as it is frequently cheaper to replace than existing glazing and involves less downtime for the tram. During discussion with 3M, Clive learned of the added benefits of 3M™ Scotchshield™ SCLARL400 ULTRA High Performance Safety and Security Window Film. By investing in this unique laminated film Nottingham Express Transit was also able to improve passenger safety on the trams. The film is the same thickness as standard 3M™ Scotchshield™ Window Film but affords extra protection because of its micro-layer construction.

Says Clive: “Sadly the times we live in mean that some people will hurl missile at a passing tram. We’ve already has two instances of tram windows being broken but the panes have stayed together because of the film. This has meant passengers are safer and experience minimum inconvenience as the tram can continue its journey back to the depot. It is early days yet but we’ve already seen the benefits. If the film helps to protect passengers and improves the trams’ performance it has to be a good thing.”