Saving Energy with Solar Window Film

With summer approaching, this is a good time to install solar window film to cut down on cooling costs. It is a great low-cost method for making your home more energy efficient. Solar window film can be applied by the homeowner instead of requiring expensive contractor fees. The window film will keep ultraviolet (UV) rays and heat out of your home in the summertime and help your home retain heat in the wintertime.

Saving energy with solar window film: Effective throughout the year

Solar window film can save energy all year-round, not just in the hot summer months. In the summer, the solar window film will reflect back the heat from the sun, along with some of the harmful UV rays. In the winter months, installing solar window film can still help your home remain more energy efficient by minimizing the amount of heat that can escape through the windows. Most of a home's heat is lost through traditional, uncovered windows. Applying a layer of solar window film is far less expensive than replacing the entire window with a dual-paned or other energy efficient type of window glass.

Saving energy with solar window film: Eliminate UV rays

Using solar window film on your home's windows can protect you and your family from the sun's dangerous UV rays. Besides being harmful to the skin and eyes, UV rays also will fade your home's furniture, curtains, and carpets over time. There are different levels of UV protection, so check the label of each manufacturer's solar window film to make sure you are getting the protection you desire.

Saving energy with solar window film: Privacy concerns

There are also different gradients giving you more or less privacy based on the darkness and reflectivity of the solar window film. You can often choose colored solar window film to give your home or office a distinct look. The most common colors of reflective solar window film are silver or bronze. You have probably seen this type of window film used on the massive hotels in a city such as Las Vegas, Nevada or a large office building in an industrial complex. This reflective solar window film gives the inhabitants of the building protection along with privacy by making it impossible for outsiders to peer in the windows.

Saving energy with solar window film: Do-it-yourself or hire a professional?

The installation of solar window film can generally be done by the homeowner without any specialized equipment, making it an easy way to improve the energy efficiency of your home without having to hire outside help. However, you may wish to contact a professional if you have a two-story home or other difficult to reach windows. Be sure to use adequate safety equipment if you do choose to install your own solar window film under challenging conditions.