EXPANDED SELECTION OF VELUX SKYLIGHTS AVAILABLE WITH ELECTRONICALLY TINTABLE GLASS

VELUX, the world’s largest manufacturer of skylights and sun tunnels, now offers electrochromic glass in an expanded selection of venting electric skylights. The new technology allows homeowners to use a remote control to tint skylight glass from clear to dark without losing the view to the sky. This allows convenient control of light and heat entering rooms through skylights without blinds or shades.

GREENWOOD, S.C. JANUARY 2005 VELUX, the world’s largest manufacturer of skylights and sun tunnels, now offers electrochromic glass in an expanded selection of venting electric skylights. The new technology allows homeowners to use a remote control to tint skylight glass from clear to dark without losing the view to the sky. This allows convenient control of light and heat entering rooms through skylights without blinds or shades. Energy savings and elimination of uncomfortable heat gain is possible even on the brightest and hottest days. Another benefit is maximum protection from fading of the home’s contents from direct sunlight.
 
VELUX America, Inc. has teamed with SAGE Electrochromics, Inc. to incorporate award-winning SAGEGLASS® electrochromic technology into skylights. This glass technology, under development for over 12 years, is the only one to have conclusively passed extensive testing by the U.S. government, some of the world’s largest glass companies, and market-leading fenestration companies including VELUX. 
 
The electrochromic technology utilized in VELUX skylights was named by R&D Magazine as one of the 100 most technologically significant products introduced in 2004 and was recognized by The Wall Street Journal as a runner-up in its 2004 Technology Innovation Awards competition. The skylights have also been recognized by Home Magazine with a 2005 American Building Product Award and by Woman’s Day Specials with a 2005 Best New Products Award.
 
SAGE produces SAGEGLASS panes by coating glass with multiple layers of ceramic thin films that, in total, are less than 1/50th the thickness of a human hair. Applying a low DC voltage causes the active electrochromic layers to darken and reversing the voltage polarity causes the layers to lighten.
 
From an energy usage standpoint, it requires less energy to tint over 250 size 104 VSE" skylights than it does to power a single 40-watt incandescent light bulb.
 
SAGEGLASS electrochromic panes are incorporated into skylights at the VELUX manufacturing facility in Greenwood, SC. The VELUX VSE venting electric skylight in size 104 with SAGEGLASS technology is available for $1,800 while the regular VSE in that size is $644. The technology will be available in a range of VELUX products in late 2005 and 2006 with the completion of a new SAGEGLASS manufacturing facility in Minnesota. 
 
Currently, standard VSE skylights can be purchased and installed, then upgraded to electrochromic glass via a simple sash replacement performed by certified VELUX Solutions contractors or any independent contractor. The standard VSE skylight sizes that can be upgraded to SAGEGLASS after initial installation are 106, 306, and 606.
 
VELUX is the world’s largest manufacturer of skylights and sun tunnels. VELUX products are available nationwide through home centers, building material suppliers, lumberyards, and independent door, window, or roofing retailers. Consumers can access complete product information and pricing, and can locate local suppliers and installation information, at www.VELUXusa.com. 
 
VELUX will mail consumers concise and informative literature on the benefits of bringing more natural light into the home and workplace and on skylight and sun tunnel selection. Call , request via e-mail at www.VELUXusa.com, or write VELUX America Inc., P.O. Box 308, Budd Lake, NJ 07828.
 

SAGE Electrochromics Media Contact:
Heather West
Heather West Public Relations



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