Save Energy: Tint Your Windows

Tinting your windows in your home or business will help you save money and energy and make you sustaianble. If you are installing new windows in your home, you want to go with a Low-emittance (Low-E) insulated window which will stop heat, cold and noise from entering your home.  Low-emittance (Low-E) coating is microscopically thin and virtually invisible. It consists of metal or metallic oxide layers deposited on a window or skylight glazing surface, primarily to reduce the U-factor by suppressing radiative heat flow. The light that does make it through the coatings is rendered virtually harmless and will reduce the amount of damage to carpets, curtains and furniture by around 90%.

If you already have newer windows in your house and do not want to change them, window tinting is the way to go.  Single pane glazing is limited on how much heat you can eradicate. When the sun hits the window the heat is stopped by the window film, however the film gets hot and therefore allows some heat entrance to your home or business. The only way to greatly reduce heat transference inside is to place a reflective film on the outside of the glass.  If you have insulated glass, most of the heat will be stopped by the film and stays in the insulated area of the glass. If choosing new windows, make sure that they have a thermal break in the extrusion because this stops heat being transferred through the aluminum in to your home.

Window tinting manufacturers have started making films that make your windows safer during a hurricane and the thicker the better. What you want to avoid during a hurricane is objects flying at high speeds through your window. Hurricane films made today are between 4 and 14 mil thick and will stop objects from coming through your windows. They will not stop breakage but will prevent injury. The government and your power company prefer it when you tint your home or business because of the energy saving benefits and there are many programs in place to help you pay for your tint. If you tinted your windows today you can expect to save at least 30 to 50 percent on your power bills. It is an investment in your home that will soon pay for itself over and over again. Most installations come with a 20 year to lifetime warranty. So it is a good investment and definitely energy wise.