Empire State Building To Get Energy Saving Windows

NEW YORK (Associated Press) -- A California company has been hired to retrofit New York City's Empire State building with 6,500 energy saving windows.

A number of iconic buildings have undertaken major renovations to become more efficient, but even more importantly, to lure new tenants.

The managers of the Empire State Building plan to spend $120 million on environmental improvements and the windows are center stage.

Johnson Controls, Inc. said it has selected Serious Materials for the project. Johnson did not disclose how much the contract for the windows was worth.

Johnson Controls said the windows will save about $400,000 a year in energy costs.

Serious Materials, which has headquarters in Sunnyvale, Calif., will refurbish existing windows so that they insulate better, reducing solar heat gain by 50 percent.

Johnson Controls said that the window project is one of four energy-saving measures that should cut the building's energy use by 38 percent, saving $4.4 million per year in energy costs and reduce 105,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions over the next 15 years.

Comments

[Sugar Belon]

07:51 AM on 05/01/2010

It's very inspiring to know that more and more people are adopting green living. Another great green restoration for every home is with the use of window tints. While most window films are for reducing solar heat gain in the summer, low-e films both block summer heat and improve winter heat retention. Reputable site such as www.TintBuyer.com informs consumers about the relevant facts on window tints such as type of tints, quotations and will help you locate the best professional tinter near your area. Window tints are cost-effective, energy-efficient and definitely eco-friendly.

[quinn017]

09:19 AM on 03/10/2010

I think that this is really a cleaver move. I sure hope that every building also consider making there window energy efficient with the use of window tints. While most window films are for reducing solar heat gain in the summer, low-e films both block summer heat and improve winter heat retention. Trusted tint professional at www.TintBuyer.com provides unbiased fact on types window tints that suit your needs. They provide relevant information about window tints such as its benefits, quotations, laws involve in every state and will help you find the best professional tinter near your area.

[maxwells]

12:47 PM on 03/08/2010

High heating/cooling costs in large buildings indicates poor design. Their large thermal masses should stabilize interior temperatures very easily. And that temperature should be the result of adequate insulation, passively adaptive windowing, and ground-source heat pumps.

Properly designed large buildings should really require very little in the way of either heating or cooling. Once built, their energy cost should be near zero, the net mostly from fans pushing air around. If well-retrofitted, even an old building like the Umpire should be near zero.

E.g,. aluminum should be outlawed in favor of reinforced vinyl frames on north sides, with fiberglas frames on sunny sides. Low-emissivity, triple pane with solar/thermal rad coatings, as needed, should be standard.

In fact, if all architects and builders were required to study heat flux engineering using modern materials, net zero energy use would be standard for all large buildings.

[DevonTexas]

11:15 AM on 03/05/2010

getting serious about going green! for sure.

[sheaintsayin]

01:05 PM on 03/04/2010

Nice win for Serious Materials.