A Window Of Opportunity To Lower Your Home’s Temperature...And Energy Bill (NAPSA)—Asthe weather gets warmer, homeowners and business people needn’t get hot under the collar about the cost of cooling their homes or businesses. There are a number of simple and affordable steps—such as applying film to windows and glass doors—to reduce the sun’s effects and to lower energy bills. Blocks Sunlight A commonly overlooked way to reduce summer heat, window film helps cut cooling costs by blocking sunlight and associated heat from entering the home. It also minimizes the amount of ultraviolet light coming into the home, which can help prevent furniture, artwork and carpet from fading or becoming discolored. Window film even protects skin from harmful ultraviolet rays that penetrate untreated glass. In fact, applied window film can reduce harmful ultraviolet light between 95 and 99.9 percent, minimizing skin cancer risks, according to the International Window Film Association. In addition to their ability to withstand the harsh effects of the summer sun, most window films are scratch-resistant and can provide an extra level of protection from flying glass in the event of accidental impact, hurricanes or other wind events. These safety benefits coupled with the energy performance provide peace of mindfor families and friends. While the specific benefits may vary by brand and manufacturer, consumers now have a way to compare the performance of different window films in fair, accurate and credible way. The National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) is a nonprofit organization that provides inde- Windowfilm blocks heat and ultraviolet light from entering the home. pendent ratings that film manufacturers can use to label their products. The ratings are based on a number of factors, such as how well the film blocks heat from the sun and how muchlight passes through the film. Certified window film products are labeled with detailed information on how well the film performed when tested by certified NFRC facilities. “Our program helps consumers and businesses make apples-toapples comparisons,” said Jim Benney, NFRC’s executive director, “so they can make informed decisions that best match their individual budgets and meet their overall needs.” Each installation varies according to the type of film installed, the size of the windows, the number of windowsand the geographic location. The jobs can range from $500 to $5,000, but the average cost for film installation for an entire home is around $1,500. Reduces Cooling Costs “If consumers are looking to save on their energy bills this summeror protect their families and precious belongings from harmful ultraviolet light, they should consider the benefits of window film,” said Sal Abbate, general manager, North America for CPFilms Inc., manufacturer of VISTA and LLumar windowfilms. “Tt’s very affordable and generally will pay for itself with energy cost savings. Depending on wherethey live, our customers can reduce cooling costs by up to 50 percent.” VISTA window film wasthefirst to be certified by the NFRC. To search window film ratings and product listings, visit NFRC’s Certified Products Directory at http://search.nfre.org/. Interested consumers or businesses can find out more about VISTA and LLumar window films by visiting www. vista-films.com or www.llumar.com, or by calling (800) 255-8627 to reach a local dealer.
