Exploring Window Options For Residential Buildings

A commonly cited advantage for tinted windows is that they can potentially offer significant cost savings. If you are considering having tint installed on your business' windows, then this can be a compelling argument. In most cases, window tint can offer meaningful cost-savings benefits, but it can pay to understand precisely how this improvement will benefit your business. This guide will explain how window tinting can save you money along with how to make the most of your tint purchase.

HVAC Costs and Thermal Load

Before delving into the potential benefits of a full-building window tint, it is first essential to understand the concept of your building's thermal load. During the summer, your building's air conditioning system works by removing heat from your inside environment and transporting it to the outside atmosphere. Your HVAC system is sized based on the thermal load that your building experiences, since this load determines the amount of heat that must be removed from the space.

Your building's construction (including insulation) is a significant factor in thermal load, but additional load is generated by the heat that is transferred to the interior space through the windows. Large skylights or areas with many windows will experience a significantly higher thermal load. This issue is especially common in office buildings with expansive window sections that receive large amounts of sunlight. The more thermal load experienced by your building, the higher the cost to cool the space to a comfortable temperature.

How Tinting Can Help

Any heat energy rejected by your windows is heat your air conditioning system will not need to remove later. By using tint to reflect or absorb energy, you are directly reducing the load on your HVAC system. Rejecting heat before it can enter your building will reduce your overall energy costs while creating a more comfortable environment for your employees.

Maximizing Your Cost Savings

Modern commercial window tint is available in a variety of styles to suit a variety of different business needs. In general, you can expect most tint to fall into one of three categories:

• Decorative
• Safety
• Energy saving

Smoked or frosted tints are primarily designed for decorative purposes, although tints of this type may be available with added energy rejection characteristics. Meanwhile, safety films help to prevent glass from shattering into dangerous shards when damaged.

If your goal is to save money, however, then installing an energy-saving tint will provide the greatest benefits. Window films of this type are designed to reject visible and UV light, reducing your building's overall thermal load. Keep in mind that heat-blocking tint does not necessarily need to be reflective, and transparent tint is available that blocks specific wavelengths of light without providing a significant darkening effect.

Whatever option you choose, it is crucial to have your window film installed by an experienced professional. Professionally installed tint will be more durable and long-lasting and ultimately save you more money over the long term.

For more information, contact a local window tinting company like City  Glass.