The Potential of Static and Thermochromic Window Films for Energy Efficient Building Renovations

The type of glazing implemented in a building plays an important role in the heat management of a building. Solar heat entering through glazing causes overheating of interior spaces and increases building’s cooling load. In this work, the energy saving potential of window films based on Cholesteric Liquid Crystals (CLC) is explored. This emerging technology allows for the fabrication of static and thermochromic solar heat rejecting window films and can provide a simple renovation solution towards energy efficient buildings. Simulations on a model office showed that static CLC-based window films can save up to 29% on a building’s annual energy use in warm climates. In climates with distinct summer and winter seasons, static solar heat rejecting windows films cause an additional heating demand during winters, which reduces the annual energy savings. In these climates, the benefit of thermochromic CLC-based window films becomes evident and an annual energy saving up to 22% can be achieved.