LOS ANGELES – Crown Electrokinetics Corp., a smart glass technology company, has completed a preliminary field test, and the data suggests that it can reduce energy costs of office buildings by approximately 26%. The field test was conducted from the 22nd floor of a Los Angeles office building, where Crown’s patented ink technology was partially rendered onto window inserts and then placed over single pane windows. By blocking out some of the heat generated by sunlight, the simulation data indicated that an office building could reduce the operating costs for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. At scale, such a reduction in HVAC utilization can also help lower carbon emissions. Additionally, the inserts are intended to reduce glare, improve tenant comfort, and eliminate the need for window blinds.
Fundamentally, single pane windows are energy-inefficient, providing little insulation from heat generated by sunlight. Commercial buildings subsequently absorb most of that heat, leading to increased operating costs associated with HVAC systems that cool the buildings. Additionally, higher HVAC usage creates excessive amounts of carbon emissions, and according to the Department of Energy, buildings account for 76% of electricity use and 40% of primary energy use in the United States.
Crown’s DynamicTint™ Insert aims to enhance the efficiency of existing windows, eliminating the need to replace the glass by easily fitting into window frames. It also acts as an additional pane of glass, further insulating the building from outside temperatures. And, powered by solar, DynamicTint™ Insert will ultimately be able to function without wiring into the building.
“We’re pleased with the results of this initial field test, but I believe that 26% in energy savings is just the baseline. We have evidence that our inserts will also save energy related to the HVAC heating as well as cooling. As we continue to iterate on our beta product, we expect the DynamicTint™ Insert to help reduce a building’s energy costs and its carbon emissions. Perhaps most importantly, the insert approach to smart glass makes it easier to retrofit to existing buildings, and it will be considerably less expensive than anything currently in the market. As we transition from an R&D phase to commercialization, we’re listening closely to our prospective customers and incorporating features most critical to office REITs, since saving money and combating climate change should not be mutually exclusive.” said Doug Croxall, Crown’s Chairman & CEO.
