• Date: April 11, 2013
• Author: AlteredElement
• 0 Comments

Washington, D.C. – February 26, 2013 – The International Window Film
Association (IWFA) said California residents can save the equivalent of four
million barrels of oil yearly, or about the annual output of three, 500-Megawatt
power stations, if window film were installed on just 10 percent of the dwellings
built before building energy codes were mandated.
California leads the way as the first state to add window film into its building code
and the opportunity for achieving the state’s energy goals may be closer when
window film is factored in. The California Building Standards Commission
(CBSC) recently approved a new code that becomes effective in 2014. The
CBSC adopted extensive energy code requirements voted by the California
Energy Commission in 2012.
“We need to continually look for smart, cost-effective ways to save energy and
reduce peak electricity load,” said Commissioner Andrew McAllister of the
California Energy Commission. “Window film is a product that needs to be
considered as an important retrofit solution as we upgrade legacy dwellings in
the Golden State,” he added.
Independent analysis conducted by ConSol a California based energy consulting
firm, reported that window film is one of the most cost-effective measures to
reduce energy use in California. In fact, window film outpaces traditional
techniques such as updating HVAC systems, air sealing and caulking or adding
R-38 ceiling insulation. ConSol’s study used many of the same processes the
California Energy Commission utilizes in determining relative value of energy
savings for the state. The complete report can be found at
http://www.iwfa.com/ConsumerInfo/CAEnergySavingsStudy.aspx
In California, there are nearly 9,000,000 dwellings built prior to the energy
building codes. By professionally installing window film on just 900,000 dwellings
or 10 percent, ConSol conservatively estimates window film may cut a typical
dwelling’s annual energy use by 10 percent. Taken together this could add up to
7,150,250,000-kilowatt hours. The savings is comparable to what three power
plants could produce annually, or the conversion equivalent of 4,000,000 barrels
of oil, according to ConSol.“Without a doubt, window film offers an enormous potential for energy savings in
the California market and consumers may not need to replace their windows at
all,” said Darrell Smith, executive director of the IWFA. “We hope that policy
makers in other states will take California’s lead and develop programs that
encourage this extremely cost-effective solution for consumers,” he added.

-From Madico.com C/O Warner Communications