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Show JNew Window Film Saves Energy, Offers More Light A new yeneralion of scratch resistant window film is now available to homeowners which oilers significant energy savings while allowing more light transmission and greater clarity. Many materials that will scratch conventional window win-dow film will not scratch a tough new film called Valvac Insulux"1 Scratch Resistant I'ilm recently introduced in-troduced to the home-improvement market. Its toughness permits use in areas where abrasion, improper im-proper washing or carelessness care-lessness can cause scratching. scratch-ing. Homeowners using the film will no longer need to settle for significantly "darkened" windows to conserve energy. Installing window insulating insu-lating film has become a proven, cost-effective method of conserving energy en-ergy while controlling healing and cooling expenses. ex-penses. Windows are still the primary culprit in energy ener-gy loss. The benefits of window film, however, have been outweighed in the minds ol some by the loss of adequate ade-quate light in the room. However, with the intro-duction intro-duction of Valvac Insulux" S K I ilm. energy-conscious homeowners no longer need sacrifice sunshine for savings in their fuel or electric bill. "The beauty ot the product is that it provides all the benefits of window insulating without rejecting reject-ing an inordinate amount of light," said Joseph J. Wadlinger, executive vice president of Van Leer Plastics, Plas-tics, the largest manufacturer manufac-turer of w indow insulating films. Insulux Film reflects the sun's hot rays, cutting solar so-lar heat gain in summer by up to 68 percent, reducing the load on air conditioners. condition-ers. During the winter months, the film helps control heating costs by reflecting re-flecting back some internal heat normally lost through glass during direct exposure expo-sure hours. And states Wadlinger: "While percentages per-centages may vary some what according to the climatic cli-matic conditions of a particular par-ticular geographic area, a more comlortable home environment is regularly ensured." The film consists of multiple layers of selective coalings bonded to plastics through a unique application applica-tion technique. The result is an improved product that offers the same summer and winter energy savings as traditional window films with the added advantage ad-vantage of better overall visibility and light transmission. trans-mission. The key to Insulux f ilm's energy saving benefits bene-fits lies in its control of the sun's electromagnetic spectrum. Sunlight energy is contained in both visible and invisible portions of the spectrum. Two and a half years ago, Van Leer's technical staff discussed developing a window insulation film that would block a high portion of the "shortwave infrared heat spectrum" without significantly affecting af-fecting the visible light spectrum. They teamed up with scientists at Optical Coaling Laboratory, Inc. (OC'LI), manufacturer of Klcar 'n K00I", an important impor-tant layer used to make Insulux f ilm. The joint research re-search effort to break up sunlight and turn the technology tech-nology into a useable window win-dow film was realized early ear-ly in 19X1. Mr. Wadlinger explains: "Insulux Film is a generation genera-tion ahead of traditional window films which reject a great portion of the visible visi-ble segment of the sunlight's sun-light's spectrum. Our new product is selective. For the consumer, this means more light and better window win-dow transparency with the same level of energy savings sav-ings offered with traditional tradition-al films." "The only sensible way to buy window film," adds Wadlinger, "is to compare the cost of the film per square foot with the money it saves you per square fool." an Leer researchers have studied the environ-mental environ-mental conditions of over C x ( :; . .. ' . ,4; 'It' ' ' 40 U.S. cities to calculate money saved per square foot of window space. "In every case," says Wadlinger, "the energy savings using Valvac Film were significantly higher than with conventional window film." The film also does more than save energy. Because it screens out most of the sun's ultraviolet rays, fading of carpets, draperies draper-ies and upholstery is greatly great-ly reduced. In addition, it reduces eye discomfort from the sun's glare, in-creases in-creases daytime privacy and provides inereaicJ shatter resistance. -; Installation is a bree for any do-it-yourselfer. The basic tools are a spray bottle, squeegee, ra.or-type ra.or-type knife, paper to'.vds and water. A little wa;cr and soft cloth is all ilia: V.iu need to clean the surlae. For more information m high-performance energy control window film write: Van Leer Plastics. Department Depart-ment L, 64 Industrial Fitk-way, Fitk-way, Woburn, MX. Heating and Cooling Yes No 1. Are draperies closed at night to keep :: heat in? t 2. Are furnace and air conditioner filters regularly cleaned? X 3. Is the heated basement insulated? Z S 4. Is the water heater set to deliver water : no higher than 140 degree F. at the sink? ; 5. Have water-saving devices been installed on showers? ZL Ji The Kitchen :; 1. Is the range's lowest possible heat ;: ; setting used? Z Ir ! 2. Is the dishwasher's "energy-saver" option feature used? 3. Are full loads of dishes washed? C: 4. Is a microwave oven used whenever ' possible? r '. The Laundry' I 1. Are clothes washed in the lowest water : j temperature that will do the job? Z 2 ' 2. Is the water level adjusted to the size of ; the load? Z Z: 3. Axe clothes rinsed in cold water? Z Z? 4. Is the dryer's lint filter cleaned after --each --each use? Z Z 5. Are only full loads dried? Z Z The energy audit is part of a 16-page book "Kitchen . and Laundry Designs for the '80s Low on Energy, High on Style" that is designed to help consumers in home planning. It includes energy-saving floor plans and equipment selection tips. For a free copy, write: Information Center, The Maytag May-tag Company, Dept. 199YG, Newton, Iowa 50208. f |