TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - No matter where you live or the season, there’s no bigger energy user in your home than your heating and cooling system. Today’s Angie’s List report focuses on an efficiency investment you can barely see, but will feel in your wallet every time you pay a power bill.
Solar window film is a thin material applied to window glass. Without it, most of the solar energy that hits the glass comes right on through into your home. With the film, most of that energy stays out. How much depends on the type of film you use.
Jay Dunbar said he earned his investment in window film back in energy savings within three years and resolved an issue of uneven temperature in his house right away.
You can install window film yourself, but doing that could void your window warranty. Reputable pros will replace your warranty with their own. They’ll also install the film without bubbles, which will prevent cracks or peeling later on. Some will even let you transfer the warranty if you sell your house.
Window film offers more than energy efficiency. It shields you from the glare of sunlight, filters out potentially dangerous ultra violet light and even helps protect your furniture from fading from prolonged exposure to the sun.
Installing film on a typical sliding glass door will cost between $300-500 and an average double-pane window costs between $100-150. Window experts say you can expect energy savings of five to 10 percent.”
