The California Energy Commission has recognized window film as an energy-efficient building product in recent changes to the California building code. The change to the code was voted through on May 31 and will go into effect in January of 2014.
The building code reads as is: “Every manufactured fenestration product shall have attached to it a clearly visible temporary label that lists the U-factor, the solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) and Visual Transmittance (VT). Applied window films installed as part of an alteration complies with the U-factor, SHGC and VT requirement.”
The changes to the code require window film to have a National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) certification label, manufacturer’s name, a 10-year warranty certificate and compliance with the International Window Film Association’s (IWFA) visual quality standards.
Darrell Smith, executive director of the IWFA states that, “This addition to the code is a major step forward for energy efficiency in California, especially when considering the amount of untreated glass in the state in the majority of buildings. The wide application of window film is a simple way to immediately cut utility demand generation and the resulting reduction of peak demand on utilities and greenhouse gases will further the state¹s reputation as an environmental leader.”
This is exciting news for the window film industry. For further information on 3M window films, please contact Stop the Sun, Inc. We are San Diego’s Premiere 3M Window Film Dealer!
