Does Window Film come to mind when you think about energy-savings potential? For most facilities professionals, lighting and HVAC are high on the list. Investing in energy-efficiency retrofits for both of these systems at once could break your budget (especially depending on the projects’ ROI), but that doesn’t mean you can’t do anything to improve their efficiency.

With high-performance, low-e window film, commercial building owners often experience both lighting and HVAC energy savings … and a full return on investment in less than four years. How? Because this type of low-e window film increases the insulating performance of windows, which improves energy efficiency of the building envelope.

Energy savings often start with the building envelope because it acts as a barrier between indoor and outdoor environments. It also helps manage temperature and lighting levels.

Lighting Energy Savings from Window Film
When solar heat gain and glare aren’t controlled, blinds and shades are often used to reduce fading, keep tenants comfortable, and stop glare. When closed, blinds and shades can address these issues … but they can also limit views, create a need for more artificial lighting, and prevent daylight from entering.

Despite the myth that window film makes indoor spaces dark and increases reliance on electric lighting, window film can actually decrease lighting costs. A University of Padua research team recently studied window film’s affect on lighting in MG Tower. Even though this modern Italy office tower had up-to-date HVAC systems and new windows, facilities management still struggled with occupants who were uncomfortable due to solar heat gain and glare from windows. The team found that window film installation addressed glare and discomfort; it also offered a considerable increase in useful daylight because blinds were closed less often.

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It’s that crazy time of year in the Northwest. One day you have the heater on and the next day it’s the air conditioner with residential window tinting at Tint Works we can help regulate that. Idaho can have crazy temperature fluctuations! One day it’s 70 degrees and the next it’s 30 degrees! One day it’s snowing in the morning and by noon the Sun had made her presence known and melted almost all the snow away. Like it never happened! This is part of the reason we all love Idaho so much.

First, in your home and/or office, Vista window film can help regulate the temperatures so you don’t have to keep switching back and forth between heating and air conditioning. Residential window film helps reduce radiant heat flow to keep hot air OUT in the summer months. This will also help your air conditioner run more efficiently. On the flip side, residential window film can help to keep hot air IN during the Winter months. Commercial and residential Window film acts as an insulate to the glass. When your heater is trying to find the cold spot in the room the window that is now covered with window film is no longer the cold spot. Applying window film will help lower your energy costs year round.

Second, UV protection. In the Winter months people tend to forget about sunscreen. It’s cold outside so most people don’t associate sun damage with cold weather.
Most people stay inside in the colder months leading them to believe sun exposure is not an issue. Exposure to the sun is happening all around you even in the Winter months, even when it’s cloudy outside and even when you are inside! While you’re driving to work, sitting next to the window at lunch or soaking up the sunshine at home in your recliner reading your favorite book. UVA rays can penetrate through glass and are harmful to your skin. You are at just as much risk of being diagnosed with Skin Cancer in the snowy mountains as you are on the sandy beach!  The snow reflects up to 80%  (SkinCancer.org) of UV light from the Sun. Which means you are getting hit by the same UV rays TWICE! Most window films will reduce over 99% of UVA and UVB rays. Helping protect you even when you are indoors!

There is a difference between outdoor sun exposure and indoor sun exposure. When we are outdoors UVB rays are triggering the Vitamin D production in our bodies. When we are indoors, clear glass blocks UVB rays but NOT UVA rays. This means your body is exposed to the more damaging UV rays without the normal protective benefit of Vitamin D production. Window film can help reduce over 99% of UVA rays. Sun damage affects can occur over time. You may not notice until it is too late. Start taking the proper precautions now to help prevent in the future! Give Tint Works a call for all your commercial and residential window tinting needs!

ENERGY EFFICIENT WINDOW FILMS