Daylight Redirecting Window Films

EW-201014

Objective

The objective of this project is to reduce lighting and HVAC energy consumption and personal discomfort caused by glare by installing daylight redirecting window films on selected Department of Defense (DoD) buildings. The project will determine their effect on daylight penetration into deep spaces within the building and the resulting environmental, economic, and human factor benefits.

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Technology Description

Energy consumption, room lighting, aesthetics, and possibly even human productivity and satisfaction can be improved by increasing and dispersing natural daylight into a building as much as possible. 3M's light redirecting film utilizes microstructure features on the film surface to direct sunlight incident on a vertical window towards the ceiling. This results in more uniform and comfortable distribution of light within the occupied building space. The microstructure features are specifically designed so that incident light is directed as far into the room as possible. The exterior appearance of the building façade continues to appear natural and is unaltered by application of the daylight redirecting window film.

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Benefits

Daylight redirecting window films reduce solar heat gain, improve energy efficiency, and lower overall costs. By admitting daylight into deep interiors of buildings, they maximize energy savings. The films are easy to apply and cost effective. Building occupants are expected to benefit from reduced glare and will not be compelled to use shading devices such as blinds and screens. As a result of better access to daylight, an improvement in productivity may be expected. (Anticipated Project Completion - 2012)

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Points of Contact

Principal Investigator

Dr. Raghunath Padiyath

3M Company

Phone: 651-733-8952

Program Manager

Energy and Water

SERDP and ESTCP

Document Types

  • Fact Sheet - Brief project summary with links to related documents and points of contact.
  • Final Report - Comprehensive report for every completed SERDP and ESTCP project that contains all technical results.
  • Cost & Performance Report - Overview of ESTCP demonstration activities, results, and conclusions, standardized to facilitate implementation decisions.
  • Technical Report - Additional interim reports, laboratory reports, demonstration reports, and technology survey reports.
  • Guidance - Instructional information on technical topics such as protocols and user’s guides.
  • Workshop Report - Summary of workshop discussion and findings.
  • Multimedia - On demand videos, animations, and webcasts highlighting featured initiatives or technologies.
  • Model/Software - Computer programs and applications available for download.
  • Database - Digitally organized collection of data available to search and access.