As we spend more time indoors, indoor environmental quality has become a top priority for commercial buildings. Poor indoor air quality from excess heat, glare and solar radiation can create discomfort for occupants and undermine productivity and health. Smart window tinting solutions like ElectraTint offer an innovative way for offices, hospitals, schools, and other commercial buildings to optimize interiors for comfort while saving energy.

The IAQ & Comfort Challenge

Creating comfortable, healthy interiors is a balancing act. Ample natural light, views, and connection to outdoors are desired. However, uncontrolled sunlight can create issues:

• Excessive heat and solar gain – Leads to higher cooling costs and uncomfortable hot spots.
• Glare – Makes computer work difficult and causes eye strain.
• Fade/degradation – Sun damage fades furnishings and artwork.
• UV damage – Materials and products degrade faster.

Traditional Approaches

Traditional sun control methods like darkened window tints, exterior shades, and interior blinds have drawbacks:

• Obstruct views – Shades/blinds block access to daylight and restrict views.
• Trap air – Closed shades or blinds prevent ventilation and air circulation.
• Limit daylight – Tinted glass reduces visible light needed for bright, comfortable interiors.
• Difficult to control – Fixed systems can’t adapt to changing conditions.

How Smart Tints Enhance IAQ & Comfort

Smart window tints like ElectraTint offer a better solution. Offering dynamic sun control and glare reduction, smart tints:

• Maintain views – Unlike shades, smart tints allow wide open views when inactive.
• Let in daylight – Users control how much natural light enters, balancing glare control and brightness.
• Enable ventilation – Windows remain open, allowing fresh air circulation.
• Reduce overheating – Excess solar heat gain is blocked as needed, lowering summertime cooling costs.
• Limit UV damage – Blocks up to 99% of harmful ultraviolet rays that damage materials.
• Manage glare – Eliminates visual discomfort from intense reflections on screens.
• Zonal control – Different parts of a facade can be controlled separately based on conditions.
• Automated activation – Tints can respond automatically using sensors to optimize for comfort and energy savings.

Specific IAQ & Comfort Benefits

Specifically, smart window tints improve IAQ and occupant comfort in the following ways:

• Reduce Overheating

Excess solar heat radiating through untinted windows requires more air conditioning. By blocking up to 60% of solar radiation, smart tints like ElectraTint keep temperatures comfortable without heavy cooling. Studies show buildings with smart tints maintain interior temperatures 5-10 ̊F cooler.

• Improve Thermal Comfort

By controlling excessive solar gain, smart tints create consistent comfortable temperatures without hot spots near windows. The reduced temperature stratification enhances thermal comfort for occupants.

• Limit Glare

Glare from intense sun or reflections makes work difficult by causing eyestrain, headaches and visual discomfort. By reducing transmitted light to optimal levels, smart tints allow views without glare.

• Protect Furnishings

Excess UV rays cause faster fading and degradation of furnishings, fabrics, floors and artwork. Smart tints block over 99% of UV, protecting investments and aesthetics.

• Enable Natural Ventilation

With windows open for fresh air, solar heat and glare make cross-ventilation uncomfortable. Smart tints allow windows to stay open for ventilation.

• Complement Daylighting

While blocking glare and heat, smart tints allow occupant-controlled daylight transmittance for naturally bright interiors. This enhances comfort and cuts lighting costs.

• Improve Acoustics

Along with daylight control, transparent smart tints provide excellent solar noise reduction. Tests show up to 50% decrease in interior sound levels by reducing external sound transmittance.

Applications for Commercial Buildings

Smart window films like ElectraTint provide indoor environmental benefits across commercial building types:

• Offices – Workers remain comfortable and productive with controlled daylighting, no glare or overheating near windows.
• Hospitals – Patient rooms maintain comfortable temperatures and lighting conditions despite changing sun angles.
• Schools – Classrooms get tunable daylight and protection from harsh midday sun and glare.
• Retail – Storefronts remain transparent to passing shoppers while reducing heat, fading and glare inside.
• Museums – Artwork is protected from UV damage while visitors enjoy smartly tinted skylights and glazing.
• Restaurants – Diners enjoy views and daylight without squinting from sun glare through large restaurant windows.

Achieve Optimal Indoor Environmental Quality

ElectraTint’s innovative smart window tints dynamically regulate daylight, glare, and solar heat to create healthier, more comfortable indoor spaces. Our electronically tintable glass enhances air quality and thermal comfort for improved occupant satisfaction.

See how ElectraTint can optimize your commercial facades to balance energy efficiency, views, and occupant wellness. Contact us for a free expert estimate. Call 833-442-1329 or email info@electratint.com to learn about the healthy building benefits of adaptive glass.