Focus your energy on productivity.
The energy efficiency upgrade cycle.
Optimize your building with envelope improvements.
There are many energy conservation technologies available to help you save money. It is essential not only to choose the right products but also to complete your upgrades in a sequential order such that you can maximize your profits.
Often, envelope upgrades (such as window film) are overlooked, and owners jump right to optimizing their HVAC system. If you create a more efficient building envelope before HVAC improvements, you can downsize your HVAC equipment in the future, enabling you to reach the maximum possible performance for your profits.

Comfortably cool.
3M™ Sun Control Window Film can reduce the temperature in direct sunlight by as much as 9° F, making your space much more usable and comfortable. The graph below shows a four-day temperature logging experiment conducted in an office building.

LEED Certification Window films may be used toward the following LEED credits: |
|
---|---|
SS-8 | EQ-7.1 |
EA-1 | EQ-7.2 |
MR 1.1-1.2 | EQ-8.1-8.2 |
MR 5.1-5.2 | ID |
Proven savings in every climate.
The US is broken down into eight different climate zones in accordance with building codes today — Climate Zone 1 being the hottest and Climate Zone 8 the coldest. 3M™ Window Films can save energy in all climate zones.

Climate Zone 4 | Case Study:
Fifth Third Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
Challenge: To control incoming light and heat in order to keep tenants comfortable, reduce energy costs and maintain the building’s striking aesthetics.
Solution: The contractor who had originally installed 3M™ Window Film in 1980 went back to update the facility’s window film to further reduce energy costs by installing 3M™ Sun Control Window Film Neutral 20.
Results:
Payback — Less than 1 year
Savings — Greater than $100,000 annually
Date Completed — 2000
Department of Energy (DOE) Study
Background
In 2011, the US DOE completed a study on the top 50 commercially available energy conservation technologies. The technologies were ranked in these categories:
- Payback
- Probability of success
- Overall energy savings
- Technologies with less benefit that may be considered for specific targeted applications
Results
- Ranked as top-tier technology
- Fastest payback ranking available — approximately 3 years
- Highest probability of success ranking (based on customer acceptance, ease of retrofit, knowledge base of the technology and supply chain strength)
Additional Results
Only four technologies received both a fastest payback rating and highest probability of success.
- Window films
- PC power management
- Condensing water heaters
- Air side economizers and filters for data centers
Replacement windows were also studied, but they received much slower payback ratings and lower probability of success due to the significant initial investment costs and disruption to tenants required for a new window replacement1.
1. www.eere.energy.gov/femp/technologies/new_technologies.html
Globally, more than
buildings have
3M™ Window Film
installed.
Miles of experience.
3M was issued the first patent for sun control window film in 1966. Today, 3M™ Window Films have been installed in buildings all around the world. We never stop creating new window film products and solutions to help protect people and property, reduce energy costs and improve interior comfort. Put your trust in 3M, a name you know for quality products and services.