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Two companies collaborate to offer new tech

Mar. 16, 2010 – The pressure is on from regulators and the public to implement energy-saving technologies in commercial buildings. While window replacement creates a great opportunity for savings, many building and maintenance professionals are apprehensive about the time, expense and inconvenience of doing a complete tear-out and replacement.

Mar. 16, 2010 – The pressure is on from regulators and the public to implement energy-saving technologies in commercial buildings. While window replacement creates a great opportunity for savings, many building and maintenance professionals are apprehensive about the time, expense and inconvenience of doing a complete tear-out and replacement. But now, a new solution exists.

In collaboration with Lauren International’s Edgetech I.G., Lauren Manufacturing and Lauren Plastics, JE Berkowitz (JEB), has spun off a new division called RENOVATE by BERKOWITZ (RbB) to offer a new, a patent-pending technology that uses existing single-pane units to create an energy-efficient, triple-pane system without the investment of a full replacement. The RENOVATE system can contribute 7 to 31 Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) points and is manufactured by JEB to be retrofitted over existing glass from the interior of the building for minimal disruption of tenants.

“It’s the perfect product at the perfect time,” said Ed Berkowitz, chairman of JE Berkowitz. “RENOVATE is up to 35 percent less expensive than a complete tear-out of window systems and is more thermally efficient. This is due in part to custom components supplied to us by Edgetech and other Lauren International affiliates.”

RENOVATE includes  iDea Seal from Lauren Manufacturing, and a custom beauty cap and setting blocks from Lauren Plastics, as well as a custom version of Super Spacer TriSeal from Edgetech, which provides a seal between the units and helps to ensure optimal efficiencies and the long-term durability of RENOVATE systems.            

“Super Spacer TriSeal is a proven technology used in architectural and captured glazed units worldwide,” said Brian Kress, commercial technical specialist for Edgetech I.G. “TriSeal was uniquely suited for this application because it provided JEB with a one-stop solution, including adhesive, moisture vapor barrier and desiccant. Lauren International companies have had a long relationship with JEB, and we were all happy to assist with making RENOVATE a reality.”

RENOVATE is designed specifically for commercial retrofitting applications, including office buildings, schools, hospitals and government buildings, that have single-pane, non-operating windows. According to a 2009 study by McGraw-Hill Construction, energy-efficient upgrades will account for 85-95 percent of all retrofitting activities by 2010 – mostly due to major legislative and competitive pressure to address climate change.

In particular, inefficient windows account for up to 35 percent of energy wasted in buildings and up to 10 percent total carbon emissions in the U.S. annually. RENOVATE’s unique technology enables building owners and maintenance professionals to make superior upgrades to improve energy-efficiency at lowered costs and reduced landfill waste because existing windows are incorporated into the system.

“The stars are perfectly aligned for RENOVATE to be an immediate success,” Berkowitz said. “Energy savings, CO2 reduction and LEED certification are all top of mind, and RENOVATE offers a unique opportunity to help meet all of these requirements at a lowered cost.”

According to the company, the overall benefits of RENOVATE include:
•    Improved thermal performance (takes R1 to R5)
•    Improved acoustics/noise reduction
•    Little to no disruption of tenants
•    Increased security
•    Certified dealer/installer network
•    Contributes to LEED requirements (potential to earn 7 to 31 points)

JEB’s certified dealer/installer network for RENOVATE goes through a rigorous two-day training and a certified installer is always present onsite to ensure the overall quality and long-term performance of the system.

RENOVATE has been through extensive testing, including installation in three beta sites. Third-party performance data and more information can be found at www.jeberkowitz.com . More information on Super Spacer TriSeal and other Lauren International building technologies can be found at www.edgetechig.com .