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from Brian in Beldenville, WI :
#284
Will tinting my windows reduce heat loss in winter & heat gain in summer on large, southern facing windows? They are irregular shapes that I can't find blinds for. My air conditioner barely keeps up on hot summer days.
Tinting windows will help reduce heat gain in the summer.
When heat enters your home, it's called heat gain. Heat gain makes your air conditioner work longer and harder, which translates into higher energy costs. The window tinting will reduce the heat gain in summer. However, it won’t do much to reduce heat loss (when heat exits your home) in winter. Other alternatives to window tinting for reducing heat gain include:
- Awnings. They may not be practical in your case due to the irregular shapes, but it is worth mentioning in that they can reduce heat gain and be aesthetically pleasing, provided that they keep your windows shaded during the hottest part of the day.
- Landscaping. Adding shade trees or shrubs is another effective way to decrease heat gain. Consider deciduous trees that will block the sun during the summer yet shed their leaves during the winter.