Nothing better than investing in a product that pays for itself over time, right? Even better when said product offers a bevy of additional benefits you can enjoy for years to come. Window film does just that!
One of the easiest and most cost effective ways to save money on energy bills is to have a professional apply solar control or insulating window film. While window film saves money on utility bills year-round, the cost of cooling one square foot is about five times the cost of heating the same space. It’s important to note the immense benefits of heat rejection and how it will significantly cut down energy consumption during the summertime.
Film pays for itself over time by saving 5-10% on monthly energy bills. HOW?
- In the summertime, heat is deflected, meaning your cooling system is no longer working double time to combat the influx of solar heat gain. Up to 70% of heat gain can be avoided.
- Film also insulates, keeping your heat in and cold out during winter.
- Many cities offer a tax credit for window film. This means that you could get a discount on the total material purchase of any tinting you buy for your home, or receive a rebate as a reward for taking steps towards going green.
- Window films can also have an added benefit of reducing most of the harmful UV rays from the light that enters your home. This can drastically reduce the amount of fading that occurs on flooring, furniture and fabrics.
- There is also a reduction in glare. What even nicer is that technology has improved the quality of window film making it barely noticeable in terms of how it looks on your windows and the amount of natural light still entering your home.
Savings break-down:
Real world scenario: the cost to film a 3×7 foot sliding glass door would cost $60 – $70 with an installation cost of about $125. (price varies per location) Broken down further, this is because you pay in the $3 – $4 range for product, and the cost of installation can range from $6 – $8 per square foot. There’s good news, though! Since window film is warranted to last forever, you’ll only pay once to reap unlimited benefits. Over a 10 year period, the savings really add up. The following table represents savings per year depending on total energy bill cost and the type of film used to film most or all of the windows in an average American home:
As you can tell from the data, the more your energy bill is the more you can save, especially in the long run. Even with a relatively small energy bill, you can recoup the costs for the film in under a year and reap the savings over the remainder of its life. None of this is including the savings from having to possibly replace flooring, furniture or window treatments due to fading over the period.
We told you there’s more to window film than just saving you money! These are five main reasons consumers choose to purchase window film:
Heat
The summer sun’s heat can be brutal. Did you know that windows are the number one cause of heat gain in most of today’s homes? With home window film technology, we are able to provide invisible protection for your windows which can reduce up to 67% of the sun’s heat while reducing cooling costs by up to 30%. This is the primary reason most homeowners choose window film.
Glare
The second most common reason to apply home window film is to get rid of annoying glare. Unfortunately, when the sun hits glass it causes refraction and light displacement decreasing your comfort, making the television unwatchable, and destroying your windows’ views. Your home windows are meant to be looked out of and enjoyed, not covered by blinds and drapes. For those that work from home, window film can help provide sanity.
Fading
Also known as the silent destroyer, the sun’s UV rays are on a constant mission to fade your interior furnishings. Don’t be fooled, fading is real and probably happening right now. Most if not all home window films promote 99.9% UV protection. However, what you may not know is how light and heat actually impact how window film controls and reduces fading. Fading happens when UV and visible light continually hit your leather couch or wood floors and it begins to break down the chemical bonds of dyes.
Security
When the event is natural disaster, vandalism, or accidental damage, you want to know flying debris and broken glass aren’t going to cause injuries or a dangerous mess. Window film helps damaged glass hold together, much like a car windshield. Security window films are designed to protect windows from shattering, keep out the bad guys all while adding an extra level of safety to your glass.
Decoration & Privacy
Decorative window film is rising in popularity. Stained, privacy or etched glass can be very expensive. Decorative window film is a very cost effective way to add privacy and style to your windows while delivering on the above additional perks. For example, installing frosted film on a ground-floor bathroom window allows for complete privacy without sacrificing the inflow of natural light with blinds or curtains.
There might be other obscure reasons a homeowner might choose window film, but for the majority these are the top five. Once you’re up to speed with the many benefits of film, it’s up to you, the consumer to decide which product to install after determining both why you need film, and what your budget is. Window film can help you solve problems with heat, glare, fading and privacy without blocking your view. It’s a simple, cost-effective way to increase your home’s comfort, energy-efficiency and overall appearance.
