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When the management at the Sheraton Brookhollow in Houston saw that their
window film was discoloring rapidly to the point that the film’s purple hue had
ruined the hotel’s handsome façade they were particularly incensed. This was
the second time the window film had failed to last.
They realized that for the comfort and safety of their guests they required solar
control window film for their magnificent ten-story glass encased lobby and for
all the windows of the more that 380 rooms and suites.
They searched for a new film that would give them the heat and glare reduction
necessary for the level of comfort they were seeking and also provide protection
from broken glass in the event of a disaster. Moreover, this time, the third time
film was to be installed, they looked for a product that would endure.
Through "word of mouth" reputation, the facility manager contacted a Houston
dealer from CPFilms, the industry’s leading producer of window film. He
recommended LLumar R35 solar control window film.s
This new LLumar film reduces the solar heat gain by 64% and reduces visible
light transmission through the glass by 72%, thus providing a glare free
comfortable environment through out the lobby and guest rooms. Additionally,
the window film provides an added safety benefit in that it forms a shield
across the glass to which it is fitted so that if the glass is broken most of the
fragments will be held in place.
In addition to a comfortable ambient temperature, with corresponding energy
savings brought by lower air conditioning demand, and a glare free
environment the hotel management team has the extra comfort of knowing that
this LLumar film is backed by a ten-year manufacturer’s warranty.
She was faced with a list of tenant complaints that appeared to be related to the building’s glass structure. “During the summer, we’d have to start our two 820 ton chillers at four in the morning to have the building cool enough by nine,” said Sims, “and then we’d have to run at capacity for most of the day. But the fact that one side of the building would be freezing while the other hot, told us that the sun was preventing us from maintaining a consistent temperature throughout the building, and that the factory tint in the glass was not sufficient to do the job.” Sims also mentioned an additional aesthetic problem created by some tenants drawing blinds to cut the heat or for privacy which created an unappealing checkerboard effect from the street.
After a lengthy investigation of available films and installers, Sims chose LLumar Low E 1220 Window Film for all 80,000 square feet. “You could feel the difference when you stepped in front of one of the test panels and then back into an untreated area,” said Sims. “Since the LLumar Film was installed, the improvement in our ability to control and maintain temperature has been dramatic.”
Edison Plaza expects to reduce its annual energy use by at least 5%, partly due to a 70% reduction in heat gain and a lowering in its chiller capacity from 100% to 80%. Consistency in climate control has been achieved. With the reduced energy usages and a $24,000 energy rebate , the entire installation will be paid back in less than three years!
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