Solar Film is a layer of plastic-like film that is applied to the inside of your home windows, shielding the hot sun, keeping your home cooler, and saving you money on your electric bill.
Solar film also helps reduce fading of your flooring and furniture, reduces glare, blocks 99% of UV rays, and strengthens the glass.
Dominion also posted a nice, DIY video (that must be from the UK based on their use of the word "Whilst"):
I asked our resident energy experts about Solar Film (they knew exactly what it was). This is what they said:
Solar film is appropriate for windows that do not already have a low-e coating. This would cover most existing homes--but not homes built to EcoBUILD standards, homes where builders used better quality windows outside of EcoBUILD and, obviously, decorative glass windows where the coating would obscure the decoration.
Window film is more important for windows that do not have blinds, shades, curtains, etc. that can manually reduce heat gain. Interested customers should focus on windows facing East and West, as those are the windows adding the most heat gain in summer. I would not install on Northern or Southern facing windows, as the Southern windows provide beneficial winter heat gain.
There are local installers of solar film, as well as do-it-yourself options. Personally, I would be leery of DIY as every bump, crease and bubble from installation will show. I priced having it installed years ago for East and West facing windows in my living room, never did it and now have lots of faded hardwood to prove that I should have!
We have some basic information about Window Films in the Weatherization section of our Energy Smart Library for your Homes.
No comments:
Post a Comment