"We're now able to cool the building using outside air for more months out of the year."
At 62 stories, the AON Center stands as one of Los Angeles’ most prominent skyscrapers, offering sweeping views across the city. Built in 1974, the building features floor-to-ceiling glass. In the late 1980s, window film was applied to improve energy efficiency and reduce glare. However, like many films from that era, it eventually developed an unattractive purplish tint. Decades later, it was time for a modern upgrade.
Building management wanted to increase energy efficiency, take advantage of available energy rebates from the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, and restore the building’s sleek, professional appearance. The aging film’s purplish discoloration was hurting aesthetics, while ongoing solar heat gain, glare, and UV exposure continued to drive up cooling costs and affect tenant comfort. They needed a high-performance solution that would deliver strong solar control while maintaining excellent outward views — especially important in a landmark building with panoramic city vistas.
We at ADEC Inc were chosen to handle this project with Operations Manager, David Thompson. After spending some time together, David Thompson had made his final selection with the 3M™ Night Vision™ Window Film.
“The 3M window film outperformed the competing film in both energy efficiency and price,” says Thompson. “In addition, the Department of Water and Power wanted high light transmission. The 3M Night Vision window film offered that, plus the energy efficiency properties we needed.”ADEC Inc. professionally installed 3M™ Night Vision™ 25 across 4,788 window panes, covering approximately 168,000 square feet of glass on the south, east, and west exposures (with the north side completed earlier).
Why Night Vision?
This innovative film uses proprietary 3M technology to deliver exceptional performance:
- Reduces solar heat by up to 52%
- Rejects up to 99% of harmful UV rays
- Reduces glare by up to 73%
- Maintains high visible light transmission for bright, natural interiors
- Low interior reflectivity for clear, beautiful views — even at night
Unlike highly reflective films, Night Vision provides excellent outward visibility, which is especially valuable in a landmark building like the AON Center. The film is also color-stable, resisting the purplish tint issues of older products.
Preliminary data showed the AON Center could achieve annual energy savings of more than $200,000. Combined with energy rebates, the project payback period was expected to be less than two years.
Additional benefits included:
- Ability to use outside air for cooling during more months of the year
- Running one fewer chiller on extremely hot days
- Fewer tenant comfort complaints
- Positive feedback on clearer views, day and night
- Enhanced exterior appearance of the building
David Thompson was impressed with the support from both 3M and ADEC Inc, “3M really stepped up to the plate. Night Vision was a new product, and they wanted to be sure we had all of the information we needed. They even brought in the person at 3M who invented the technology to show us how the film works. It was much more than we expected.”
Project Notes:
ADEC Inc. anticipated challenges removing the old film, but because it was an earlier 3M product, the team was able to “sweat” it off efficiently by heating the adhesive — making the process smoother than expected. Installation took approximately 4 months.
As the authorized 3M Window Film dealer at the time that successfully completed this high-profile project, ADEC Inc. (adec3m.com) brings proven expertise, professional installation, and excellent results to commercial properties across the South Bay and Greater Los Angeles area. Whether you manage a high-rise, office tower, or commercial building, we can help you reduce energy costs, improve comfort, qualify for rebates, and enhance views and aesthetics.
Ready to upgrade your building with 3M Night Vision or other premium window films?
Contact ADEC Inc. today for a free consultation: (310) 540-6399
3M Night Vision, and related marks are trademarks of 3M Company. Used under license. Case study adapted for ADEC Inc.
