Calculating Energy Savings with Solar Films
From today, SOLARFILM also offers an Energy Savings Calculator for solar film
Installing solar window film is an increasingly popular solution for reducing energy consumption and improving thermal comfort. But how can we quantify the savings this technology brings to our bills? In this article, we'll walk you through the steps to collect before contacting us to get an accurate estimate of the energy savings resulting from installing solar window film. Here's a short list of data to collect before contacting us for an Energy Savings Calculator.
1. Type of Glass Installed
The first step in calculating energy savings is determining the type of glass you have installed. Glass differs based on its thermal insulation, heat transmission, and ability to reflect sunlight. Some modern glass, such as low-emissivity or double-glazed glass, already offers reasonable winter insulation, but solar film can further improve energy performance, especially in the summer. To get an accurate estimate of savings, it's important to know the characteristics of your current glass. This will help you understand how much solar heat filters through it and how solar film can reduce the transmission of unwanted heat.
2. Cost per kWh on the Bill
The cost of electricity per kilowatt-hour (kWh) is another crucial factor in determining savings. On average, electricity costs in Italy vary, but it's important to consult your bill to identify the specific cost in your area. Many energy providers offer different rates depending on consumption or time of year, so being precise at this stage is essential. Once you've identified the cost per kWh, write it down for future reference. Solar films reduce the load on air conditioning during the summer, helping to reduce the energy consumption needed to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature.
3. Exposure and Square Meters of Glass Surfaces or simply the measurements of individual panes
Another determining factor for calculating energy savings is the sun exposure of the glass surfaces and the total surface area in square meters of the treated glass. South-facing windows, or those in rooms that receive a lot of direct sunlight, are those that will benefit most from installing solar films. Solar films are designed to reduce solar heat gain, but their effectiveness depends on the size of the glass surfaces and their exposure to the sun. The larger the window surface and the greater the sun exposure, the greater the savings.
4. Air Conditioning Usage Period
Another key aspect for calculating energy savings is knowing when you use your air conditioner the most. If your cooling energy consumption is concentrated in the summer months, installing solar film can significantly reduce the need for air conditioning, lowering the workload of your air conditioning system. Alternatively, if you suffer from unbearable heat in spring or fall, it's important to factor these periods into the calculation as well. Solar film not only protects against direct heat, but also helps maintain a more stable temperature year-round, reducing the need for additional heating or cooling.
5. When You Suffer Most from the Heat
Finally, for an accurate calculation, you need to consider the times of year when you suffer the most from the heat. Solar heat management is particularly important during the hottest hours of the day and in the summer months, but if you live in areas with temperate climates, the improvement in thermal comfort during the spring or fall could be equally significant. If solar films are applied to windows overlooking spaces exposed directly to the sun during the hottest hours of the day, the benefit in terms of reduced internal temperature will be immediate. In some cases, the improvement may be visible even on the cloudiest days, when thermal insulation becomes an advantage even without intense sunlight.
What should I do now to perform the calculation?
Once we've gathered all this information, contact us so we can choose the most suitable film based on your needs and start calculating your energy savings. You'll receive a detailed report with all the costs and benefits, and you'll also be able to find out how long it will take for you to recover your investment. If you need further details, don't hesitate to contact us. We're here to help you make an informed and advantageous choice!