Do Privacy Window Films Reduce Heat?

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, about 30 percent of a property’s heat is lost from windows during winter and 76 percent of sunlight coming in through windows translates into heat during the hotter months making your heating and cooling systems work much harder than they should. Simply put, while having plenty of windows can add to the ‘wow’ factor of a place, they can make your energy bills skyrocket if not treated properly.

While double-glazed windows can certainly help, retrofitting them can be difficult. Thick blinds and curtains can help too. However, this means keeping your views perpetually blocked, not to mention the additional cleaning necessary to maintain them as well as the amount of space they occupy. This is where privacy window films shine. 

How Window Films Help You Save on Energy Bills

Privacy window films offer multiple benefits to commercial properties including reducing glare and protecting your interiors from prying eyes. One of their biggest benefits when it comes to the bottom line is the savings they bring during the extreme months of the year.

During Summer:

The summer months can result in indoor spaces getting stuffy and hot, making your cooling systems work overtime just to keep your employees comfortable. The vast amount of natural light you get through your windows is great for reducing your lighting bills, but the money you save on those is more than negated by your cooling costs.

Solar heat comes from two primary sources, the visible light you can see and the infrared light you can feel.  The right privacy window films can reduce up to 78% of the sun’s heat coming through your windows to keep your property cooler. Spectrally selective solar window films also block out up to 97% of the sun’s heat producing infrared light to increase cooling properties. 

Depending on whether you want to block the viewers from looking in, there’s a whole spectrum of tints, colours and reflective films to choose from.

During Winter:

Apart from reflective properties, privacy window films also have insulating properties. This means they keep the cold out during the winter months and the heat in. Just like layering your clothes to keep warm, adding an extra layer to your window glass can help keep your interiors warm. It’s like getting double or triple-pane windows. While simply having that extra layer can help keep the warmth in, window films also reflect and disburse heat back into the room instead of letting it escape.

The Cost Benefits Don’t Stop at Energy Bills

Installing double-glazed windows typically works out to be an expensive job, especially since commercial properties tend to have a large number of windows. The labour required to fit double-glazed windows is also extensive, which means that you end up paying high labour costs while having your building undergoing renovations for a while.

Window films, on the other hand, can cost you half the cost of double-glazed windows. They are also easy to install, which means your labour costs for the installation process are also much lower. This also means you can have window films installed with minimal disruption to the operations of your building. 

Vancity Window Films can help you pick the right option for your needs and install it too.  Get in touch with our team to get a quote today.