Reduce the Energy, Enjoy the Light

Mention Global warming and you think of carbon dioxide emissions and the cost of energy spiralling upwards. The UK Government is committed, along with Europe, to reducing carbon emissions and improving energy efficiency in our homes, commercial and retail buildings.

Energy efficiency in buildings is the main focus of the Energy Efficiency Action Plan published by European Commission in October 2006. This was followed by the Strategic Energy Review in January 2007.

Between 1990 and 2000 the UK had a 60% increase in air conditioned buildings, this is still increasing further. Cooling a buildings temperature with the use of air conditioning often uses a lot more energy than heating the building; this is without allowing for the extra energy use by new technology systems often found in our homes and working environments.

The most obvious source of high temperatures in buildings is the energy from the sun, followed by internal heat generated by technology, people and poor ventilation. The Building Research Establishment (BRE) in the UK reported that 40% of the load placed on air conditioning in offices comes from direct solar gain through windows. As events in recent times indicate, the cost of fuel is very unlikely to fall in any significant way and so such sources of energy consumption can no longer be ignored.

Commercial building owners, facilities companies and managing agents are tasked to maintain a reasonable temperature to satisfy its occupants whilst making every effort to control how much they spend on energy and other operating/maintenance bills.

In addition, UK businesses are asked by the EU Directive and Legislation to maintain comfort in the workplace for employees. This states that temperatures in the workplace are optimum and not at extremes; this is typically around 21°C/70°F. In achieving this, energy is consumed to either raise or lower the temperature.

This is a lose/lose scenario; does the company looking after the building reduce energy according to legislation or increase its use to maintain the temperature that allows occupants, technology and processes to work in optimum conditions as directed by legislation.

Installing Ultra Vision™ spectrally selective solar control film onto existing glass will reduce the loading and maintenance on cooling systems. Ultra Vision™ film will maintain natural light levels, will not obstruct visibility through the windows, looking in or out, and will not significantly alter the glazing aesthetics. The end result of installation will be an improved controllable environment that will generate savings on energy utility bills, whilst creating and maintaining optimum workplace temperatures helping to lower CO² emissions. A short return on investing in this technology is often achieved.

The main factor to consider is how effectively Ultra Vision™ films block the infrared energy of the sun before being absorbed by or entering into a building. Blocking 77% and 83% of Infra rays at 980nm (Ultra Vision™ 70 and 50 respectively) and creating a total solar energy rejection value as high as between 43% and 53% (Ultra Vision™ 70 and 50 respectively); the solar control performance of glass can be significantly improved, subject to glazing type and configuration. This demonstrates that Ultra Vision™ films can contribute towards reducing the energy in many commercial, retail and residential buildings.