Benefits of reduced air-conditioning

Contra Vision® Perforated Window Films help reduce solar heat gain inside vehicles and buildings. The printed area reduces heat transmission through windows, making the inside cooler and reducing the load on air conditioning units. The color of the printed graphics can have a significant impact: whites and brighter colors reflect more heat than darker colors.

Buses

A Contra Vision bus wrap is estimated to reduce the air-conditioning load by up to 23% on a warm day (17-20 degrees Celsius), equivalent to a daily saving of 0.5 litres of diesel (180 litres per year). There is a net CO2 reduction of 3.76kg for each square meter of Contra Vision® Performance™ over the entire product lifecycle. Please see our case study of an HVAC system on a Sydney bus.

Buildings

Contra Vision has extrapolated results from a number of studies which consider the impact of window films on air conditioning costs. The following data is for a location with an average annual temperature of 17 degrees Celsius. It takes account of the increased heating requirements in colder parts of the year when the reduced solar heat gain inside buildings places additional demand on heating units.

• A 30% transparency window film (typically used for Retail windows) with an average print is estimated to generate annual energy savings of 0.34GJ for a single glazed window and 0.31GJ for double glazing, per square meter per year.
• A 40% transparency window film (typically used for Office windows) with an average print is estimated to generate annual energy savings of 0.29GJ for a single glazed window and 0.26GJ for double glazing per square meter per year.

For more information on the Sustainability efforts that Contra Vision are working on please visit our Sustainability page here.

Window films offer several benefits that contribute to achieving LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification. These films enhance energy efficiency by reducing heat gain and loss through windows, leading to lower energy consumption for heating and cooling systems. This efficiency aligns with LEED’s Energy & Atmosphere credit category, which emphasizes optimized energy performance. Additionally, window films can improve indoor environmental quality by minimizing glare and blocking harmful UV rays, promoting occupant comfort and health. They also support the use of natural daylight, reducing the need for artificial lighting, which aligns with LEED’s Indoor Environmental Quality credits.

Furthermore, window films can extend the life of building materials and furnishings by protecting them from UV damage, contributing to the sustainability goals of the Materials & Resources category. Overall, the integration of window films into building design supports multiple LEED criteria, promoting energy efficiency, occupant well-being, and material durability.