February - March 2008
try tinting your windows
Energy efficient?
Before you go off half-cocked buying that hydrogen self sufficient plant or that solar supplemented wind generator, you might take a look at some low tech energy solutions.
Like window tinting.
Condos have yet to really get on board the window tinting game, says Tommy Silva, head of T&T Tinting, the largest by far, commercial tinting company in Hawaii.
Silva
just finished the Waikiki Beach Marriott, he’s doing the Sheraton
Princess Kaiulani, and he’s done, among many others, the Hilton
Lagoon and Rainbow towers.
He’s also done restaurants, retail shops and commercial buildings.
Plus the Windsor and Hale Kaheka Tower, both central air conditioned condos.
He says his company and products have been approved for installation in hundreds of condominiums, but most association boards opt to let each unit owner decide for themselves.
That’s probably because most condos are not centrally air conditioned and have no incentive to save on that cost.
‘But it leads to a hodgepodge and makes the building look old,’ says Silva. ‘First and foremost, the best reason for a high rise condo without central air to do it is looks. It makes the building look so much younger.
‘Secondarily, is the energy savings, but people don’t realize how big that is.’
When T&T goes into a hotel, guests feel the difference right away. It’s like night and day. Suddenly, the room becomes quieter because the ac turns off.
New tinting material cuts 78 percent of the heat entering the room and saves 30 to 40 percent in energy costs for air conditioning.
It usually pays for itself in 2-3 years.
A hundred dollars a barrel, remember?
If condo boards are still hesitant, Silva can give volume discounts for each unit owner if the whole building charges ahead.
For office buildings, there’s no board to contend with, no individual owners, there’s no excuse.
‘Lots of older buildings have tinting on the windows,’ Silva says, ‘But they become purple, wrinkled and distorted. People can’t see out during the day. And it let’s almost all the heat in. It’s not effective anymore, it needs to be replaced.’
Here are some other reasons to tint your windows:
• Hawaiian Electric Company pays a rebate of $.35 per square foot
as an incentive to commercial building owners for every square foot of
certain window films installed– we will assist you in finding the
right ones.
• Free Energy Analysis for your building — T&T can provide
you with a detailed report that shows projected savings, demand reduction
as well as your return on investment.
• Reduce glare by up to 95% — Great for improving viewing
of TV and computer screens.
• Cut Ultra-Violet Rays by 99.9%. Eliminate virtually ALL of the
harmful UV Rays that destroy drapery, carpets, furnishings, artwork, wood
floors and most importantly, your skin! UV Rays have been directly linked
to being one of the major causes of Skin Cancer. Vista is the first window
film product that is recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation to reduce
the harmful effects of Ultra-Violet Rays on your skin.
• Create an updated and uniform look. Older buildings can look dated
and rundown with the visible ‘hodge-podge’ open-and-closed
faded drapery, damaged blinds, etc. Window films can create unique and
dramatic uniform appearance that make a building look 20 years younger,
improving its value substantially.
• Protect occupants from the dangers of flying glass. Even standard
1.5 Mil thick Llumar & Vista Window film add a layer of invisible
protection to the occupants of a building. Normal glass shatters and flies
when broken. Window films mounted on standard glass can reduce damage
substantially.
