Earn LEED Certification Credits with Window Film

Alongside other measures, using window film can help qualify for as many as 9 LEED credits in the following areas: Light Pollution Reduction (1 point), Optimizing Energy Performance (1-3 points), Improving Thermal Comfort (1 point), Providing Daylighting and Views (1-2 points) by reducing solar heat gain enough to minimize the use of blinds or shades, Innovations in Operations and Upgrades (1 point) and Optimizing Use of Alternative Materials (1 point).

Modern window films block as much as 99% of UVA and UVB rays and help reduce solar heat gain. As a result, their use can significantly reduce energy use by alleviating the load on HVAC systems.

In the past few years, LEED has influenced major positive changes – it improves properties, helps potential tenants understand our smart decisions and enhances the public view of our industry.

But, with the proliferation of LEED certified properties, we have to work harder to make our properties stand above others. In the eyes of tenants and potential tenants or buyers, the difference between simply Certified and Silver Certification or especially between Silver and Gold Certification can mean the difference between signing the contract with you or your competitor.

With the point spread between Certified to Silver and Silver to Gold each being a mere 10 points, adding retrofit window film can help bump a facility up an entire level.

The latest window film technology is offered by the brand Vista Window Film. Its new EnerLogic product series is the first window film to ever provide year-round energy savings. It allows sunlight in, but eliminates or block unwanted glare, UV rays and heat.

Below is a description of how window film can assist with obtaining up to 9 LEED certification points.

Sustainable Sites

Credit 7: Light Pollution Reduction (1 Point)
• Intent: Eliminate light trespass from the building and site, improve night sky access and reduce development impact on nocturnal environments
• How Window Film Can Play a Role: Window film reduces light trespass from buildings at night since most films reduce light transmission by 50% or more


Indoor Environmental Quality

Credit 7.1: Thermal Comfort (1 Point)
• Intent: Provide a comfortable thermal environment that supports the productivity and well-being of building occupants
• How Window Film Can Play a Role: A majority of building occupants report a significant improvement in thermal comfort after window film installation, due to reduced solar heat gain

Indoor Environmental Quality

Credits 8.1 and 8.2: Daylight and Views (1 to 2 Points)
• Intent: Provide a connection between indoor spaces and the outdoor environment through introduction of daylight and views into the occupied areas of the building
• How Window Film Can Play a Role: Solar-control and glare-reduction properties of window films eliminate or help to greatly reduce the need for closed blinds or shades, thus significantly improving the introduction of daylight and connection to the outdoor environment – light reduction from window film is LESS than total view and total light reduction from closed blinds or shades


Energy and Atmosphere

Credit 1: Optimize Energy Performance (1 to 3 Points)
• Intent: Achieve increasing levels of energy performance above the prerequisite Energy Star® Rated Building standard to reduce environmental impacts associated with excessive energy use
• How Window Film Can Play a Role: Window films can provide as much as 5-15% whole building energy savings, enabling improvement in Building Energy Star Rating


Innovations in Operations and Upgrades

Credit 1: Innovation in Upgrades, Operations, and Maintenance (1 Point)
Intent: Provide the opportunity for LEED® points for additional environmental benefits beyond those in other LEED Rating

System areas

• How Window Film Can Play a Role: The up to 99.9% UV
Protection provided by many films helps protect occupants and furnishings from harmful and damaging ultraviolet rays. Many window films are recognized by the Skin Cancer Foundation as effective for protection against skin cancer
• How Window Film Can Play a Role: Utilize safety-andsecurity films to upgrade existing glass which help protect occupants from injuries due to glass hazards
• How Window Film Can Play a Role: The application of designer films to interior glass for decorative purposes instead of replacing (and disposing of) the existing glass

Materials and Resources

Credit 2: Optimize Use of Alternative Materials (1 Point)
• Intent: Reduce the environmental impact of the materials acquired for use in upgrades of buildings by using local and regional materials
• How Window Film Can Play a Role: The use of local and regional materials reduces pollution and transportation costs associated with the delivery of materials to the job site. Credit is possible if 50% or more of a product is harvested or processed within 500 miles of the LEED Project.