Standardization News

Escalating costs and increased environmental awareness have made conservation a high priority for anyone concerned with satisfying a building's energy needs. One approach to control costs is the use of energy control window films, which are the subject of a proposed new ASTM International standard, WK46378, Specification for Energy Control Window Films for Residential and Commercial Buildings.

Energy control window films adhesively bond to glass units as a means of controlling solar heat gain and radiant heat loss, helping to make the building more energy efficient. WK46378 will cover the optical and physical properties, as well as the energy performance and durability requirements, of energy control films.

"The U.S. Department of Energy has recognized energy control window films as a top tier high efficiency/low cost technology for energy management," says David Burns, chairman, ASTM Committee E44, and senior research specialist, 3M CRAL-Weathering Research Center. "A number of U.S. states are providing financial incentives for installing window films to improve energy efficiency."

Burns notes that window film products widely vary in performance and quality, which has contributed to the need for a standard. WK46378 will be the first industry standard to set minimum performance and quality requirements for window films.

WK46378 is being developed by Subcommittee E44.20 on Optical Materials for Solar Applications, part of ASTM International Committee E44 on Solar, Geothermal and Other Alternative Energy Sources.

All interested parties - including installers, facility managers, architects, regulators, manufacturers and consumers - are encouraged to participate in the development of WK46378. E44.20 is particularly interested in the participation of those who can provide expert technical input on characterizing the requirements and resulting benefits of energy control window films.

CONTACT Technical Information: David Burns, 3M CRAL-Weathering Research Center • St. Paul, Minn. • Phone: 651-733-1214 | ASTM Staff: Christine DeJong • Phone: 610-832-9736 | Upcoming Meeting: Nov. 17-18, 2015 • November Committee Week • Tampa, Fla.