Window Film for Winter Energy Savings

[Guest plp]

Hello,

I was wondering if any of you could recommend a film with low emissivity but high light transmittance. I live in the Boston area and my main energy cost is heating, and I have alot of windows that lose heat, but I love the sunlight and don't want to block too much of that. If you know of any professional installers in the Boston area that carry those products, please pass that info along as well. Thanks for any suggestions you might have.

--Patrick

[Guest 1PEECBARETTA]

good luck.

you're gonna need it!

[Guest darkdan]

The problem with the low-e films is:

1.) High reflectivity (may or may not be a problem)

2.) Shorter warranty

3.) Chances are if you're losing that much heat through the window, it's not going through the glass, but rather the frame

You'd be better off by getting a good solar control film and hoping that the summer energy savings will help you save enough to offset the winter heating bill (something I can relate to being in the midwest).

All the low-e films I have are in the 35% to 20% range. Not exactly high VLT.

[Guest VOLTRON]

Llumar makes a low e film but it is darker then you are looking for, im not sure if they have anything higher then 20%, and they also have a really bad interior reflectance that looks like an oil slick.

[Guest vclimber]

The problem with the low-e films is:

1.) High reflectivity (may or may not be a problem)

2.) Shorter warranty

3.) Chances are if you're losing that much heat through the window, it's not going through the glass, but rather the frame

You'd be better off by getting a good solar control film and hoping that the summer energy savings will help you save enough to offset the winter heating bill (something I can relate to being in the midwest).

All the low-e films I have are in the 35% to 20% range. Not exactly high VLT.

Llumar makes a low e film but it is darker then you are looking for, im not sure if they have anything higher then 20%, and they also have a really bad interior reflectance that looks like an oil slick.

These two make some valid points. 35% is the lightest Low E film I know of.

Good view and Low E films are not synonymous due to the film's reflective characteristics. Try a good blind with a high R Value, like a Hunter Douglas Duette.

[Devil with bad attitude]

Forget film for retaining heat because that's offset by reflecting any winter warmth penetration that may come through your windows.

Devil

[suntint]

Dark Dan is right. Low-E films are usually not good choices for residential (have installed them in homes very rarely).

[Guest mischief]

The rule of thumb for the NE is you have more solar heat coming in through the east and west windows in the summer than you have winter heat gain. So, it makes some sense to install film to cut that heat.

But, the best way to stop losing heat through your windows is to install interior storm windows or insulating window treatments.

Check out weatherization.com for excellent NE energy saving advice.

I also think Boston has some utility sponsored programs for audits, etc.