Energy Saving Ceilings FAQs

1. What are the benefits of TEMPLOK ceilings?
   
   TEMPLOK brings the advantages of thermal mass construction to any building with a simple suspended tile upgrade. Its key benefits include improved thermal comfort, reduced heating and cooling demand, and more efficient HVAC operation. By lowering energy use and peak loads, TEMPLOK also reduces operating carbon emissions, supporting more sustainable and resilient spaces. TEMPLOK delivers these new energy-performance benefits on top of the design and acoustic features of the base acoustic ceiling tile model.
    

2. How do TEMPLOK ceilings work?
   
   TEMPLOK ceilings use a specially designed Phase Change Material (PCM) that melts and freezes in the mid-70s°F.
   
   In warm seasons, as the building heats up during the day, the PCM gradually melts and absorbs heat, helping to keep the space cooler. When temperatures drop at night, the PCM refreezes and releases the stored heat efficiently, recharging for the next day.
   
   In cooler seasons, as buildings naturally warm during the day, the PCM captures that excess heat and releases it overnight, helping to keep the indoor temperature warmer with less active heating energy.
   
   
3. How are acoustics impacted by the TEMPLOK tile?
   
   TEMPLOK performance boosts sound-blocking performance (CAC) and has no significant effect on sound absorption (NRC). See product data page for complete information. 
   
   Data Sheet - ULTIMA TEMPLOK Energy Saving Ceilings
   Data Sheet - CALLA TEMPLOK Energy Saving Ceilings
   Data Sheet - SCHOOL ZONE FINE FISSURED TEMPLOK Energy Saving Ceilings
   
   
   
4. How much do TEMPLOK ceiling tiles weigh? Is installation in Seismic zones approved?
   
   TEMPLOK ceilings weigh about 1.9 LBS/SF. The suspension systems, whether 9/16" or 15/16", should be installed to meet the minimum requirements established in the ASTM C636 standard and any other requirements established by local code and the authority having jurisdiction. All suspension system components used must be rated to carry the appropriate load per ASTM C635. Consult the suspension system product data page for load carrying information and panel product data page for specific panel weight.
   
   
5. What is the fire performance?
   
   CALLA TEMPLOK and ULTIMA TEMPLOK: Class A: ASTM E84 and CAN/ULC S102 surface burning characteristics. Flame Spread Index of 25 or less. Smoke Developed Index of 50 or less (UL ® labeled). Suitable for use in open-air plenum applications
   
   SCHOOL ZONE FINE FISSURED TEMPLOK: Class A: ASTM E84 and CAN/ULC S102 surface burning characteristics. Flame Spread Index of 25 or less. Smoke Developed Index of 450 or less. Consult a code official in your jurisdiction for mechanical code compliance.
   
   
6. What is the Phase Change Material (PCM) in TEMPLOK ceilings made of?
   
   The Phase Change Material (PCM) contains a water and salt solution that  crystallizes and dissolves as it changes phase. The PCM is sealed in a metalized film adhered to the back of the tile. Handling is safe with standard Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including gloves and safety glasses. Refer to the SDS for more information.
   
   SDS - TEMPLOK Ceiling Panels
   
   
   
7. Are TEMPLOK ceilings durable?
   
   TEMPLOK is designed with a durable metalized film. In the rare event a tile becomes damaged, do not install it and refer to the SDS for handling and cleanup information.

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1. How does TEMPLOK heat and cool the room through the ceiling tile? Does it only heat/cool the plenum?
   
   TEMPLOK moderates air temperatures both below and above the ceiling plane. In return-air plenum applications, it tempers the air as it circulates through the space and back to the HVAC system, reducing the load the system must handle to maintain setpoint. In applications where hot or cold air exists above the ceiling for a portion of the day, TEMPLOK helps decouple those temperatures from the occupied room. Instead of allowing that heat to pass through the ceiling, the PCM absorbs and stores it during its phase change process, releasing it later when conditions are more moderate.
   
   
2. How does heat move/transfer in and out of the TEMPLOK tiles?
   
   Heat naturally transfers into the PCM when surrounding air temperatures rise, typically during the daytime, as the material absorbs heat and begins to melt. As air temperatures fall, often overnight during unoccupied periods, the PCM solidifies and releases the stored heat back into the surrounding air. In cooling seasons, HVAC operating strategies such as night ventilation or pre-cooling can aid the reset process, enabling the PCM to be “recharged” with cooler outdoor air when cooling is most efficient or inexpensive.
   
   
3. At what temperature and duration do TEMPLOK tiles "freeze” and “melt”?
   
   

   The PCM in TEMPLOK transitions gradually rather than at a single temperature, melting and refreezing primarily across the mid-70s °F. For detailed data on heat capacity at different temperature intervals, refer to the Technical Reference Guide.
   
   In practice, TEMPLOK’s temperature typically lags indoor air temperature by up to a couple of hours. Zones with larger swings between daytime highs and nighttime lows will engage more of TEMPLOK’s storage capacity and realize greater benefit. For example, a zone that cools to 68 °F at night and warms to 76 °F during the day will cycle more storage than a zone held constantly at 72 °F. These larger, cyclic swings are most common in spaces with daytime-only use and high occupancy or solar gains, and access to natural cooling or night ventilation typically in dry climates.
    

4. Is ceiling height a factor that may impact performance?
   
   Ceiling height can influence how TEMPLOK performs. While higher ceilings place the PCM further from occupants, those same spaces often experience greater stratification, with warmer air accumulating near the ceiling. TEMPLOK can absorb and moderate this excess heat, which in turn helps stabilize the average temperature of the zone and load on the HVAC system.
   
   
5. Does this work in both Ducted and Return Air Plenums? Is there a better-suited application?
   
   

   TEMPLOK is effective in both configurations, though the mechanisms differ. 
   
   In ducted return systems, supply air is delivered to the room and returned through ducts without passing over the upper surface of the suspended ceiling. The air space above the ceiling is outside the HVAC loop, so its temperature often drifts from setpoint (e.g., overheating during the day). In this case, the PCM buffers conductive heat transfer through the ceiling, isolating the occupied space from hot or cold conditions above. This is especially helpful in top-story rooms beneath a roof or in buildings with leaky envelopes. Unlike conventional insulation, TEMPLOK stores and releases heat during its phase change, and so its effect is strongest in applications with cyclic temperatures above the ceiling (i.e., warm during the day and cool overnight driving melt-freeze cycles).
   
   In return-air plenums, supply air mixes in the room and then flows back through ceiling return grilles, passing over the upper side of the ceiling before reaching the HVAC unit. Here, TEMPLOK acts more like a thermal battery, charging or discharging as air moves across both sides of the tile. TEMPLOK moderates air temperatures above and below the ceiling, returning more tempered air to the HVAC system and reducing the load required to hold setpoint. The charging and discharging behavior of the tiles are largely influenced by HVAC indoor air temperature setpoints and economizing controls. For this reason, TEMPLOK in return plenums is particularly useful to shift thermal load with greater control. 
    

6. What impact does cycling the AC or heat have on TEMPLOK (if any)? Does it impact the lifespan of the PCM?
   
   

   HVAC cycling does not affect TEMPLOK’s lifespan. The PCM responds passively, melting and refreezing as temperatures change. Heat is stored and released through inherent material properties, not by any mechanical process prone to failure. TEMPLOK does not require maintenance.
   
   By moderating indoor temperature swings, TEMPLOK can reduce the frequency of HVAC on/off cycling and switches between heating and cooling modes. This stabilization improves comfort and efficiency while also helping extend equipment life by reducing mechanical wear and tear on HVAC system components.

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1. Are TEMPLOK ceilings part of the Armstrong SUSTAIN Portfolio?
   
   Both CALLA TEMPLOK and ULTIMA TEMPLOK are part of the Armstrong SUSTAIN portfolio and have Health Product Declarations (HPDs), Declare Labels, Environmental Product Declarations, and low-VOC Emissions Certificates.
   
   SCHOOL ZONE FINE FISSURED TEMPLOK is not part of the SUSTAIN portfolio at this time but still has an HPD and EPD. The virgin PVC in SCHOOL ZONE FINE FISSURED TEMPLOK panels is free of ortho-phthalates, halogenated flame retardants, and heavy metals, which allows this product to still meet both WELL™ Building Standard’s Material Restriction and Enhanced Material Restriction Features. Additionally, SCHOOL ZONE FINE FISSURED TEMPLOK ceiling panels have been tested and comply with the CDPH v1.2 Emissions Standard.
   
   
2. Can TEMPLOK ceiling tiles be recycled at the end of their useful life through the Armstrong Ceilings Recycling Program?
   
   The acoustical ceiling tiles can be separated from the TEMPLOK panel and recycled through the  Armstrong Ceilings Recycling Program, as can the old mineral fiber tiles replaced by TEMPLOK ceilings.
   
   
3. What WELL and LEED® credits do TEMPLOK ceilings contribute to?
   
   TEMPLOK fits into the thermal comfort portion of WELL building standard and can contribute to numerous LEED credits including Materials & Resources credits and the new Peak Thermal Load Reduction credit. 

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1. Can I cut TEMPLOK ceiling tiles? 
   
   TEMPLOK ceiling tiles are not intended to be field cut. Use the standard acoustical tile of the family for grid openings requiring tile cuts (borders/MEP, etc.).
    

2. How many TEMPLOK ceiling tiles do I need to install in my project to realize published energy savings? 
   
   Each TEMPLOK tile adds thermal mass and incrementally improves the thermal stability of the space. The more TEMPLOK ceilings that are installed, the greater the effect. For most spaces, it is recommended to use TEMPLOK panels in all full grid openings. Use standard ceiling tiles without TEMPLOK for perimeter and MEP cuts.
    

3. What are the best applications for TEMPLOK ceiling tiles? 
   
   TEMPLOK ceilings are most effective in spaces that experience significant temperature swings. For example, a space that cools to 68 °F at night and warms to 76 °F during the day will benefit more than a zone held constantly at 72 °F. These swings may result from climate conditions or from daytime heat sources such as occupants, computers, and solar gain that subside at night, allowing the PCM to reset. 
   
   The greatest cooling efficiency benefits are possible in buildings with economizer controls located in dry, diurnal climates. Here, the building can flush with cool outdoor air at night, efficiently recharging the PCM before the warm day.
   
   Across many climates, TEMPLOK performs well in spaces with high daytime heat gains, such as classrooms, conference rooms, and perimeter offices. In these settings, the PCM helps stabilize temperatures from day to night, capturing excess heat that can be released overnight to keep spaces warmer.
    

4. How do TEMPLOK tiles work in cloud applications? 
   
   Cloud installations can be an effective application for TEMPLOK ceiling tiles. Both the top and bottom face of the cloud exchange heat with the air in the space. The high surface area can lead to more efficient and responsive heating and cooling effects of the PCM.
    

5. How are TEMPLOK ceiling tiles installed? 
   
   TEMPLOK ceilings are installed like regular ceiling tiles but are used only in full grid openings because they cannot be field cut. The same family of tile without TEMPLOK visually matches and is used to make perimeter and MEP cuts. 
    
   Example: ULTIMA TEMPLOK is installed in the full grid opening (typically 60-80% of the ceiling), ULTIMA is cut and installed in perimeters and around MEP.
    

6. What is the R-value of a TEMPLOK ceiling tile? 
   
   R-value measures a material’s steady-state resistance to heat flow. In those test conditions, the PCM in TEMPLOK is not actively melting or freezing, so the measured R-value of the PCM itself is relatively low. In real buildings, temperatures are not steady; they fluctuate throughout the day and night. Under these dynamic conditions, thermal mass materials like PCM slow heat transfer by absorbing and releasing energy over time, providing an effect beyond what the steady-state R-value measures.
   
   For the tested R-value of a specific ceiling tile, refer to its product data page. Additional details on the thermal properties of TEMPLOK’s PCM are provided in the Technical Reference Guide.