Customer Reviews

Energy Film Window Film 48-by-84-Inch

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I live in a condo with all windows facing south, so heat transfer during the summer has always been an issue. At the same time, I have many plants and didn't want to put in a window coating that was tinted (condo rules do not allow tinted windows) or significantly reduced the visibile light. This product significantly reduces heat transfer without noticably reducing visible light.

Installation was relatively easy; the product is very similar to a vinyl window cling. A plastic "face sheet" is on the vinyl which facilitates measurement and cutting. Measure the glass area of the window pane and mark the size on the plastic face sheet. I cut my pieces about 1/8" smaller than the window pane to all for easier installation. You'll need to use a straight-edge to cut straight pieces. I used an Xacto knife for cutting.

Once the piece was cut, I used a cloth to clean off the vinyl side (I cut it on the floor using a scrap 1x4x6' to cut into). Also make sure your windows are very clean and do not have any residue. If the glass is not smooth and clean, the window film will make any residue on the window much more visible.

DO NOT remove the plastic face sheet yet! Mist the window pane with a spray bottle containing water and a drop of dish soap. Place the window film onto the glass with the plastic sheet facing toward the room. You can then do the fine positioning of the film on the window. Also, if the film needs trimming, it can be done easily with a scissors. Once the film is placed on the window, use the included squegee to remove any air bubbles. Now, carefully remove the plastic face sheet. I did this by starting at the bottom and rolling the plastic face sheet slowly up. The vinyl may move slightly during this process and require some repositioning.

Finally, mist the window film and use the squegee to get out all air and water bubbles. I squeeged up on the top 6 inches or so, and then squeeged down on the rest of the window. Don't expect perfection...as the water evaporates out over a couple of days the clarity will improve significantly...to the point that you really don't know the window film is there. It took me about 20 minutes to install on each window pane.

While this product is more expensive than similar window film products, it is clear, doesn't noticably reduce visible light, and is easy to install (compared to other reviews I've read).

First test worked well enough. Seems to do a decent job of significantly reducing heat transfer. Only giving 4 stars for now until Im totally convinced - which might happen after I do the rest of the house (ordering more film now).

Warning: when applying the film and smoothing out the air bubbles, go VERY SLOWLY or the film will visibly crease in lots of little spots. Just dont be in a hurry. Not a criticism of the product, just some advice.

I purchased Energy Film for my East and West windows. I had saved for 3 months and finally got them and installed them myself. What a joke. They are the same as applying a clear book cover on your windows. Total waste of time and money. Had them on for 4 weeks couldn't feel or see a difference. Went out and purchased GILA solar film and immediately noticed that my room was much cooler. My A/C noticed a difference immediately. Spend a few extra bucks and buy the better item the first time. Don't let what happen to me happen to you. Cheaper many times ends up being more expensive.

When I first saw this product I was rather skeptical. How could a clear piece of plastic do anything to reduce indoor heat? I bought one just for my bedroom to try it out. The roll of film is packaged neatly and expanded easily. Measuring and cutting took most of the time. Once measured, just clean the window, and spray A LOT OF WATER MIST on the window, it helped the application of the film.

At first I didn't feel any difference. To be honest I thought it was a piece of crap and did nothing to help the heat. However, I tried to compare the temperature of the room at the same point of day with and without the film for a week. It was then I found out the film did do its job and superbly as well. With the film on, I measured at least 8 degree celcius less at the same time point. It was amazing! I tried peeling up a corner of the film, and I immediately felt the hot blaze shoot through the corner. The difference really is night and day.

What people needs to realize is... this isn't an AIR CONDITIONER! Yes the film is suppose to block out heat, but eventually the sun will cook up your place enough to make it hot. However, that delay in heating and drop in UV/radiation sufficiently allows your AC to efficiently cool your place and save on some cooling cost.

I now have my entire house's windows covered with this energy film.

*Also, if you have screen mesh on your window, here is a very cost effective thing to do. Replace your wire mesh with solar mesh. These mesh are extra dark and very tiny. It does block out some visibility however the black mesh is very effective in absorbing heat and dissipating it before it hits your window. Simply replace your current wire mesh with something like "Charcoal Solar Screen Wire" - search in amazon. I measured my patio window's temperature difference between covered and uncovered. It was a whopping 18 degree C difference. It is nothing short of amazing!

I installed this product on a few different windows yesterday. So far it seems to be working well. A few installation suggestions:

- Smaller windows are easier to work with than larger windows. If installing on multiple windows, start with the smaller ones first, so you can get the hang of aligning the film.
- Remove the vinyl backing before applying the film to the window. Otherwise you will have to do twice the squeegeeing, which is slow and tedious.

Disappointed in claims of manufacturer. I reside in
a Florida condo with a brutal morning sun problem.
I recently installed approx 4 rolls of Energy Film,
46X84" in an effort to reduce the incoming solar heat.
Product states a 70% reduction? My experience indicates maybe a 30% reduction, far below the advertised numbers. Although I had never installed
window film before, I do read fairly well. I was somewhat confused by the instructions for the installation.
The instructions did not specifically state to remove
the plastic backing along with the white paper protecting the film. There was a note to place this
side towards the room (plastic side). I only learned by calling the company that the protective backing should have been removed and discarded. The info received was also confusing; one rep stated to remove the plastic, another said it didn't matter? Still not sure of the correct procedure? It should thoroughly/correctly be addressed in the accompanying installation instructions.

My husband and I tried the instructions provided by the person who rated this a 5 star product. We installed the film and patiently used the squeegee to push as many bubbles as possible. The finished product just looks cheap. You can't look through the window without getting a vision headache because the film makes it blurry to look through. Also, the bubbles are still visible so you know there is a cheap home installed film on the window. We ended up peeling the film off. Waste of time and money :(

Don't waste your time or money. I installed on west facing bedroom windows. It made
no difference in temperature at all. Also the visual clarity they talk about is a joke. It is cloudy and blurry even after several days. Spend a little more and buy a different brand.

Use this product for 2 years and gradually install it at all windows. Makes a difference in summer and winter. Just put your hand on a window treated with it and without it and you will feel the difference. It is fairly easy to install and is clear when installed. I recommend to use this product.

The film reduced heat vs. a plain window by about 10 degrees but Gila Titanium reduced it by 20 deg. Also, the film caused small wavy bumps on the glass that were noticable. Gila is smooth as glass (but Gila has a mirror effect). I am going to try Gila platinum to see if I can get the heat reduction without the noticable mirror effect.