SMUD Deep Energy Retrofit

Energy Savings • Privacy • Radiant Heat Gain Reduction • Glare Control

ThermeShade: City of Encinitas City Hall Project
Building: Commercial Office 1961
Office: 24,000 sq ft
Location: 4700 Roseville Rd
North Highlands, CA
Study: June–October
Climate: Hot Summer/Mediterranean
Exposure: South
Applications: Roller Blinds
Coverage: 378 sq ft

Project Challenge

Despite the recent Deep Energy Retrofit to upgrade the heating, cooling, and lighting systems in this building, occupants were still complaining of extreme heat in the window offices:

‘We have the metal blinds closed most of the day and they get very hot.’

The CEO’s corner office was uncomfortably warm, and the blinds had to be closed most of the day to maintain privacy.

‘Employees are concerned that passers-by can see directly into the offices.’

ThermeShade: Sacramento Municipal Utility District Study
SMUD Project - Exterior AFter ThermeShade installation

Finding the Solutions

The Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) is a progressive community-owned electric company committed to energy conservation and encouraging new technologies. As part of their Deep Energy Retrofit program, they worked with the owner of the building to retrofit the heating, cooling, and lighting systems for energy savings. For additional savings the owner agreed to install and test ThermēShades. They wanted to increase both energy savings and tenant comfort.

As part of the study, tenants would alternate every two weeks throughout the summer between having the shades rolled up, or rolled down. Energy savings would be determined by comparing heat pump energy use when the ThermēShades were up, versus when they were down. Throughout the study, the occupants would be surveyed regarding shade position, comfort and glare levels.

‘Occupants felt cooler when the shades were drawn and more comfortable. Other benefits of the shades were that they provided more privacy from people outside the office during the daytime and reduced the amount of glare.’

ThermeShade: City of Encinitas City Hall Project
  • SMUD blinds before ThermeShade
  • SMUD project: After ThermeShades installed

Limited data showed a 29% Savings

Data Recorded:   Restricted to 42% of the day.
Application:  50% of the southern exposure windows were not included.
South Exposure: Because of the shading of the building during summer, the radiant energy was limited.
Older Heat Pumps: Half the efficiency of newer units.
Window System:
Values not included.
Occupant Survey: So far incomplete.