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Every summer, homeowners across the U.S. brace themselves for rising electric bills as their air conditioners kick into overdrive to combat the heat. And while insulation, ceiling fans, and smart thermostats all help, there’s a surprising energy-saving solution many people overlook: window film.
In this post, we tackle window film energy savings by exploring how window film works, how much it can lower your energy bills, and why it’s a smart DIY upgrade for homeowners who want to take control of their cooling costs.
Windows bring in beautiful natural light—but they also bring in heat. In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, up to 30% of your home’s cooling energy can be lost through your windows.
Here’s why:
Large or south- and west-facing windows are particularly vulnerable, especially in hot climates. Read more about where to install window film.
Window film energy savings are achieved because of the way film works. Window tint acts like a thermal shield for your windows. When applied to the interior surface of your glass, the film:
The result? Cooler indoor temperatures, reduced A/C usage, and lower utility bills.
Our ComforTech™ Ceramic Series Window Film provides great window film energy savings and is designed to block up to:
And it does all that while preserving your outdoor views and letting in natural light.
The National Fenestration Rating Council is the body responsible for testing and rating window film energy savings (and window energy savings too!). The NFRC tests the impact window film has on four different window configurations:
In each scenario, the NFRC measures the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) that the film achieves when applied to the glass. The SHGC is a measure of the amount of heat that a window unit (filmed or unfilmed) lets into a space. So the lower the the SHGC, the better the window film performs. As an example, below are the performance specifications for our ComforTech Ceramic Series line:
You can clearly see, that the darker the film, the lower the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient and the better the solar control you will get. You can learn about all of the metrics provided in the chart above on our window film terminology page.
So, how much money can you realistically save with window film?
💡 According to the International Window Film Association (IWFA), homeowners can expect to save up to 30% on cooling costs in hot climates with professionally installed window film.
For a home that spends $300/month on summer air conditioning, that could mean:
Of course, your savings will depend on factors like:
But one thing’s clear: Reducing solar heat gain = less cooling needed = lower bills.
Wondering how window film stacks up against other common home efficiency upgrades?
| Upgrade | Avg. Cost | Cooling Energy Impact | Payback Time |
| Smart thermostat | $100–$250 | Moderate (5–15%) | 2–3 years |
| Replacing windows | $8,000+ | High, but very costly | 10+ years |
| Installing solar shades | $300–$1,500 | Moderate (10–20%) | 3–5 years |
| DIY window film | $200–$600 | Moderate–High (up to 30%) | 1 season–1 year |
Window film offers one of the fastest returns on investment, especially when you install it yourself using our easy-to-use installation tool kit.
Not sure which windows to target first? Focus your efforts on:
You don’t have to tint every window in your home. Many homeowners see big results by starting with just 3–5 windows in their most sun-exposed rooms.
Read more about where to install window film.
While lower A/C bills are the biggest draw, window film delivers multiple home benefits:
No more hot spots near windows or rooms that feel like saunas by mid-afternoon. Window film helps maintain more consistent indoor temperatures.
Window film cuts annoying glare on TVs, laptops, and tablets—without darkening your room like blackout curtains.
All the films at Concord Window Film block 99% of UV rays that cause fading to furniture, floors, and art.
Reducing your A/C use doesn’t just save money—it also lowers your carbon footprint.
At Concord Window Film, our flagship ComforTech™ Ceramic Series film stands out for a reason. Unlike traditional dyed or metalized films, ceramic window film:
Whether you’re trying to keep a sunroom cool, protect your furniture, or slash your energy bill, ceramic film is the premium option—available to DIY homeowners like you.
Our films are easy to install yourself—no pro required. We offer three ways you can purchase our film:
We stock pre-cut kits in the following sizes cut to fit most standard window sizes:
Kits cut to size for large or odd-shaped windows. Learn more about our custom cut option available for our best-selling ComforTech Ceramic Series film here.
For larger jobs where you don’t mind cutting the film yourself – rolls of film are the most economical option.
If you’ve never installed window film before, don’t worry—we’ve got step-by-step instructions and video guides to help. Most customers complete their project in a single afternoon.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “We installed ComforTech on all of our south-facing windows. The difference was noticeable immediately. The house stays cooler, and we’re running the A/C way less.” — Greg
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “The film was easy to work with, and the room is no longer an oven in the afternoon. Highly recommend for anyone tired of high cooling bills!” — Sandra
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Excellent! Huge difference in heat reduction and great clarity. Relatively easy to install too. Thanks!” -Anonymous
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Reduced heat in our Great room substantially. While I love the view and the light that is added to the room, our two gable windows were letting in too much heat. We went with Comfortech 15, and it was the right choice. Still lets in plenty of light, even on cloudy days. But, glare is reduced making the room more pleasant, as well as the reduced temperature of the room. We’ll be installing more Concord film on our south windows in the future!” – Mark
Read more Concord Window Film reviews from verified purchasers.
Window film is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to reduce your home’s cooling costs, improve comfort, and protect your interiors—all without a major renovation.
Explore our ComforTech™ Ceramic Series today and discover how affordable energy efficiency can be.
✅ Designed for DIY
✅ Professional-grade ceramic
✅ Free shipping on orders over $99
Want to learn more about what film is right for you? Check out our helpful guide:
👉 Window Film Project Planner
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