Yes, commercial window film can help lower energy costs by reducing the amount of solar heat entering a building through its windows. That can reduce cooling demand, particularly in hot climates such as Arizona. The actual savings will depend on the building, existing glass, window orientation, film performance, HVAC system, and how much direct sunlight reaches the windows.
Key Takeaways
- Commercial window film can reduce solar heat gain, which may lower the cooling load on a commercial building.
- The biggest opportunity is often on windows receiving strong direct sunlight, particularly large or west-facing glass.
- Energy savings vary from building to building. There is no responsible one-size-fits-all percentage.
- Window film can also address glare, hot spots, and uncomfortable work areas, so energy savings aren’t its only potential benefit.
- XPEL VISION Solar Control Film is designed for commercial and office applications, with XPEL positioning the product around cooler spaces, reduced hot spots, and lower energy consumption.
- For a business considering an installation, the existing glass and building conditions should be evaluated before selecting a film.
What Is Commercial Window Film?
Commercial window film is a thin film applied to existing building glass to change how the windows handle sunlight, heat, glare, and other forms of solar energy.
For a business owner or property manager, the appeal is pretty straightforward: you may be able to improve the performance of existing windows without replacing them.
Solar-control film is one type of commercial window film. NREL describes it as a passive retrofit that can be applied to an existing window and used to change the thermal and optical performance of the glazing system.
That can be useful in:
- Office buildings
- Retail stores
- Restaurants
- Medical offices
- Schools
- Hotels
- Apartment and multifamily properties
- Warehouses with office areas
- Commercial storefronts
And the reason for installing it isn’t always the same.
One business may be trying to control afternoon heat. Another may be dealing with glare on computer screens. Another may want to improve comfort near large storefront windows.
Does Commercial Window Film Actually Lower Energy Costs?
It can.
The basic idea is simple. Sunlight enters through the building’s windows. Some of that solar energy becomes heat inside the space. The HVAC system then has to remove that heat to maintain the desired indoor temperature.
Reducing some of that unwanted solar heat gain means the cooling system has less work to do.
The U.S. Department of Energy notes that windows contribute to a building’s heating and cooling loads and that reducing solar heat gain can help reduce energy use in appropriate climates.
For commercial buildings specifically, a DOE feasibility study identifies window attachments as a cost-effective way of improving tenant-space energy efficiency by reducing solar heat gain. It specifically notes that high-reflectivity window films can reduce solar heat gain and summer cooling costs.
So the answer is yes—but the size of the savings depends on the building.
How Does Commercial Window Film Reduce Cooling Costs?
Think about an office with a large wall of glass.
During the morning, the space may feel comfortable. By mid-afternoon, employees near the windows are reaching for the blinds, the room feels warmer, and the HVAC system is working to catch up.
The windows are part of the problem.
Solar-control film changes the way the glazing handles incoming solar energy. NREL’s commercial-building modeling found that the solar-control films studied significantly reduced the solar heat gain coefficient of the overall glazing system. The modeled results showed greater energy savings potential in hot-climate buildings.
That makes commercial window film particularly relevant in places where air conditioning represents a significant part of building energy use.
And that’s certainly worth considering in Arizona.
How Much Can Commercial Window Film Reduce Energy Costs?
There isn’t a single percentage that applies to every commercial building.
Be careful with any company promising that window film will automatically cut a building’s energy bill by a specific amount.
The result can change considerably depending on:
- Window area
- Glass type
- Existing Low-E coatings
- Window orientation
- Amount of direct sunlight
- Building location
- HVAC efficiency
- Insulation
- Occupancy
- Operating hours
- Existing shades or exterior shading
- Film selection
NREL’s commercial-building analysis found that where and when window film is applied matters because buildings have different heating and cooling loads and weather conditions.
For that reason, a good commercial film proposal shouldn’t start with:
“You’ll save X%.”
It should start with:
“Let’s look at your building and determine where the solar heat problem actually is.”
Which Commercial Buildings Benefit Most From Window Film?
There isn’t one building type that automatically benefits more than all others.
The opportunity tends to be strongest where there is a lot of glass combined with significant solar exposure.
Office Buildings
Large windows can create hot spots and uncomfortable workstations, especially in perimeter offices.
Retail Stores
Storefront glass can receive direct sun for much of the day. Film can also help manage glare without completely covering the display windows.
Restaurants
Large dining-room windows can make certain tables uncomfortably warm during sunny periods.
Medical and Professional Offices
Glare and temperature differences can be frustrating for employees and visitors.
Hotels
Large guest-room windows and common-area glass can introduce substantial solar heat.
Multifamily Buildings
Common areas and individual units with significant sun exposure can benefit from improved solar control.
The right candidate isn’t defined by the building’s name.
It’s defined by what the glass is doing to the space.
Can Commercial Window Film Help With West-Facing Windows?
Yes, west-facing windows are often worth looking at first.
Afternoon sunlight can create a difficult combination of heat and glare, especially when the glass is large.
Imagine an office where employees spend the morning comfortably working near the windows. By 3 or 4 p.m., the sun is hitting the glass directly, the blinds come down, and the HVAC system has to deal with the additional heat.
That’s a practical situation where solar-control film may make sense.
The DOE notes that solar heat gain through windows can affect commercial cooling loads, while NREL’s modeling shows that window-film energy effects vary with location and time of day.
For an Arizona business, west-facing glass deserves particular attention.
Can Commercial Window Film Reduce HVAC Workload?
It can reduce some of the solar heat that the HVAC system needs to remove.
That doesn’t mean the film replaces an HVAC upgrade.
Your building’s cooling demand is affected by many things, including:
- Occupancy
- Equipment
- Lighting
- Outdoor temperature
- Insulation
- Air leakage
- Roof performance
- Window area
- Solar exposure
Window film addresses one part of that equation: solar heat coming through the glass.
The DOE specifically identifies solar heat gain through windows as a factor affecting building cooling loads.
If your building has a large amount of sun-exposed glass, that can make the windows a worthwhile place to look for improvements.
What Other Problems Can Commercial Window Film Solve?
Energy costs may be the reason you start looking at window film, but they aren’t the only potential benefit.
The Glare
Direct sunlight can make computer screens difficult to read and create uncomfortable workspaces.
Hot Spots
A workstation beside a sunny window can feel significantly warmer than the rest of the office.
Uneven Temperatures
Perimeter offices can sometimes have a very different comfort level from interior spaces.
UV Exposure
Many window films are designed to reduce UV transmission, which can be useful for protecting interiors and furnishings.
Appearance
A carefully selected film can change the appearance of a building’s glass without replacing the windows.
NREL notes that businesses often consider window film for reasons beyond energy savings, including visual comfort, privacy, aesthetics, UV protection, glare, and inconsistent building appearance.
That’s important when calculating the value of a commercial installation.
The energy bill is only part of the equation.
Is Commercial Window Film Better Than Replacing Windows?
Not necessarily. They solve different problems.
If your building has old, damaged, poorly sealed, or inefficient windows, replacement may be worth investigating.
But replacing an entire building’s glazing can be a major project.
If the existing windows are structurally sound and the primary problem is solar heat and glare, window film offers a retrofit approach.
NREL specifically describes solar-control film as a retrofit solution that can alter the thermal and optical performance of existing windows without replacing the glazing.
That can make film attractive for businesses that want to improve existing glass without turning the project into a full window replacement.
Is Commercial Window Film Worth the Investment?
It can be, particularly when a building has substantial sun-exposed glass and recurring problems with heat, glare, or cooling demand.
But the investment should be evaluated against the actual building.
For example, film may be worth investigating if:
- Employees complain about hot workstations.
- Certain offices are consistently warmer.
- Blinds stay closed throughout the afternoon.
- The building has large storefront windows.
- West-facing glass gets intense afternoon sun.
- HVAC systems struggle with perimeter spaces.
- Tenants complain about glare.
- You want to improve existing windows without replacing them.
The business case becomes stronger when the film solves more than one problem at the same time.
A reduction in cooling demand is one potential benefit.
Improved employee comfort and reduced glare can matter just as much to the people occupying the space.
What Type of Commercial Window Film Is Best for Arizona?
The best film depends on the building and the glass.
Arizona businesses have a strong reason to pay attention to solar heat gain, but that doesn’t mean every building should receive the same film.
A storefront may need a different solution from a corporate office.
A west-facing office may have different requirements from a shaded north-facing window.
And a building with existing Low-E glass should be evaluated differently from one with older single-pane glass.
XPEL’s current VISION architectural line includes Solar Control films designed for homes and offices. XPEL describes these films as helping eliminate hot spots, create cooler environments, and lower energy consumption.
XPEL also provides technical specifications and film-to-glass information for its VISION architectural products.
That information should be considered when selecting a film for a commercial project.
What Is XPEL VISION Commercial Window Film?
XPEL’s VISION line includes architectural window films for both residential and commercial applications.
For commercial properties, XPEL positions its architectural film portfolio around several applications, including:
- Solar Control
- Safety & Security
- Decorative
- Other specialized architectural applications
XPEL specifically describes its Solar Control offering as a way to eliminate hot spots, create cooler and more comfortable environments, and lower energy consumption.
The company also provides product specifications and film-to-glass charts for its architectural films.
That is useful for commercial projects because the right film isn’t simply a matter of picking the darkest option.
The existing glass needs to be considered.
Can Commercial Window Film Work With Existing Glass?
Commercial window film is specifically useful as a retrofit because it can be applied to existing glazing.
NREL describes solar-control film as a passive retrofit solution that can be installed on existing window surfaces.
That doesn’t mean every film is suitable for every piece of glass.
Commercial buildings can have:
- Single-pane glass
- Double-pane glass
- Low-E glass
- Laminated glass
- Tinted glass
- Different glass orientations
- Different existing coatings
The film should be selected based on the actual glazing.
XPEL provides a VISION Film-to-Glass Chart and approval documentation as part of its architectural product resources.
That’s one reason commercial installations should be evaluated by someone familiar with the product and glass requirements.
How Much Does Commercial Window Film Cost?
Commercial window-film pricing depends heavily on the project.
There isn’t a useful universal price per building because several factors affect the installation:
- Total square footage
- Number and size of windows
- Glass type
- Film selected
- Interior or exterior application
- Access to the windows
- Building height
- Installation difficulty
- Existing conditions
A small storefront and a multi-story office building aren’t comparable projects.
If you’re evaluating window film as an energy-efficiency investment, don’t look only at the installation price.
Consider the problem you’re trying to solve and the potential value of solving it.
For example, reducing uncomfortable workstations, improving glare, and addressing hot spots can provide operational value even before you calculate energy savings.
How Should a Business Evaluate Commercial Window Film?
Start with the building rather than the product.
1. Identify the problem
- Is it heat?
- Glare?
- High cooling demand?
- Uncomfortable employees?
- Tenant complaints?
2. Find the problem windows
- Which side of the building gets the most sun?
- Which rooms get hottest?
3. Identify the glass
- Determine whether the windows are single-pane, double-pane, Low-E, or another configuration.
4. Determine the desired appearance
- Do you want the glass to remain relatively clear?
- Do you want more privacy?
- Would a reflective appearance be acceptable?
5. Review the film specifications
- Look at the actual performance data for the film being proposed.
6. Compare the project against alternatives
Depending on the building, those alternatives could include:
- Interior shades
- Exterior solar screens
- Awnings
- HVAC adjustments
- Window replacement
- Other building-envelope improvements
This approach produces a much better commercial decision than simply asking:
“What is the best window tint?”
Commercial Window Film for Arizona Businesses
Arizona businesses have a particular reason to pay attention to solar heat gain.
A building can have perfectly functional windows and still have uncomfortable perimeter spaces because of direct sunlight.
That’s especially noticeable in:
- Phoenix
- Scottsdale
- Tempe
- Mesa
- Chandler
- Gilbert
- Other areas of the Valley
A west-facing office may become uncomfortable every afternoon.
A restaurant’s front windows may heat up the dining area.
A retail storefront may have strong glare across the sales floor.
A conference room with large glass walls may be difficult to keep comfortable.
Those are the situations where commercial window film becomes more than an aesthetic upgrade.
It’s a building-comfort and solar-control solution.
How LSR Window Solutions Can Help
If you’re considering commercial window film, the first step shouldn’t be choosing a shade from a catalog.
It should be figuring out where your building is losing comfort to the sun.
LSR Window Solutions can evaluate the existing glass and help determine whether XPEL VISION commercial window film is appropriate for the property.
The goal isn’t to promise a generic energy-saving percentage.
It’s to identify the windows causing the problem, select a film that fits the glass, and determine whether the expected benefits justify the investment.
If your Arizona business has hot spots, excessive glare, or large areas of sun-exposed glass, commercial window film is worth evaluating before you commit to a more extensive window replacement project.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does commercial window film lower energy costs?
A: It can. Solar-control window film can reduce solar heat gain through existing windows, which may reduce cooling demand and energy use. Actual savings depend on the building, glass, climate, HVAC system, and film.
Q: How much can commercial window film reduce energy bills?
A: There is no single percentage that applies to every building. Energy savings depend on factors such as window area, orientation, glass type, climate, HVAC operation, and film performance.
Q: Is commercial window film worth it?
A: It can be, particularly for buildings with large sun-exposed windows, hot spots, glare, or high cooling demand. The project should be evaluated based on the building’s specific conditions.
Q: Can commercial window film reduce AC use?
A: It can reduce the amount of solar heat entering through the windows, which may reduce the cooling load placed on the HVAC system. It doesn’t replace the HVAC system or guarantee a particular reduction in AC usage.
Q: Does commercial window film work on Low-E glass?
A: Some films may be compatible with particular Low-E glass configurations, but the glass should be evaluated before installation. Product-to-glass compatibility is important for commercial installations.
Q: Is commercial window film only for office buildings?
A: No. Commercial film can be used in many types of properties, including retail stores, restaurants, medical offices, hotels, schools, multifamily properties, and other commercial buildings.
Q: Does commercial window film help with glare?
A: Yes. Solar-control film can help reduce glare from direct sunlight. NREL identifies glare and visual comfort as common reasons building occupants consider window film in addition to energy savings.
Q: Can commercial window film protect furniture and interiors?
A: Many window films are designed to reduce UV transmission, which can help limit UV exposure to interior furnishings. The exact level of protection depends on the specific product.
Q: How long does commercial window film last?
A: Lifespan depends on the specific film, installation, glass, exposure, and conditions. XPEL provides warranty information for professionally sold and installed VISION commercial and residential window films.
Q: Does commercial window film require replacing the windows?
A: No. Solar-control window film is a retrofit solution that can be applied to existing glazing.
