With winter fast approaching, it’s the time when most homeowners start to think about how they can conserve energy and save on their winter heating bills. For many, having options that save on summer cooling and air-conditioning costs are fairly wide-spread. But for those in colder climates, the savings aren’t typically as apparent. And for those in climates that have both hot summers and cold winters, finding one cost-effective energy solution can be almost impossible.
What is Solar Control Film?
That is, until about 30 years ago. With the advent of solar control film, many home and business owners are finding out that there is an energy savings solution that works in both the summer, and the winter. Solar control film is a thin sheet of window coating that is installed by professionals right onto your windows. This film is a permanent fixture on your windows and has been used by savvy homeowners and business owners for years to cut down on their energy costs without having to turn to expensive new window installation.
In fact, solar control film costs just a fraction of what new replacement windows cost. For a single family home, it can cost as low as $3 to $11 per square foot of solar control film, depending on which type of film is installed on the windows. Plus, the entire installation process can be finished in just one or two days, meaning that you can lower winter energy bills using sun control films immediately. And since the film installation is permanent, you’ll never have to worry about heat loss during the cold winter months again (not to mention the super-savings you also get in summer!).
Solar Control Film and Winter Time Energy Savingsl
With between 25% and 40% of all home heating lost through windows, it’s vital that you find a way to control that heat loss. That’s a quarter to almost a half of your heating costs literally going right out the window! By installing solar control film to your existing windows (retrofitting), you can stop that heat loss in its tracks. Solar control film helps to keep the heat inside your house where it belongs.
Solar control film acts as another layer of insulation in your windows. Actually, it acts as insulation for your windows, giving you a great way to keep the heating that you pay money for, inside. Not only will this reduce the temperature that you have to pump your thermostat up to, but also the frequency with which you have to run the heating system. This double savings comes in handy each and every winter (not to mention during the summer when the cooling is kept in and the sun’s heat is kept out!).
Installing new windows is extremely pricey, but installing solar control film brings you great savings. Not only are you saving on the price of installing windows, but you’re also getting more energy efficient windows and insulation. This saves you tons of money. Solar control film essentially transforms your single pane windows into double pane windows without the large installation and product costs.
Plus, since you’re saving on your energy bill by keeping more of your expensive heating inside of your home, the solar control film effectively pays for itself in just a few months. Certain types of solar film have been shown to provide 92% more insulating power to the panes of glass in your windows. That’s 92% more savings that are in your pocket!
Author Bio – Laurence Striedel, the author of this article writes for Interior Guards, a company providing high quality window tinting services to residential homes and commercial businesses throughout the Washington D.C. If you are looking for means to reduce energy bills, try window tinting – best way of lowering your energy cost over the winter months. You may check out their blog more tips on saving energy bills.