Go Green: Window Films Block UV Rays

"Some films that you can put on your house can reduce your energy costs by about 83%," says Chris Greene, from Ray Sands Glass. The films help block out UV rays. It keeps it cooler in the summer. Which cuts down on energy use and helps keep the heat in, in the winter.

They also keeps the art and nature collections from fading into the past. "In order to provide a good environment for that collection, we need to protect it from the sunlight and filming is the only we could achieve that," says Ed Coons, from the Genesee Country Village and Museum.

Museums have known about films like these for a while, to preserve their collections, But now the idea is catching on with more and more homeowners because it's a way for them to go green."

"UV rays fade your furniture, fade your floors, fade personal belongings and these films will block 99.9 percent of all those rays that will damage everything in your house," Greene adds.

The newest window films are clear and don't alter the windows appearance. That was important for the museum because they didn't want wildlife to be confused.

But what's also important, is time and money. "It goes on quickly and is relatively inexpensive which is important the payback is at least within two years," says Coons.

If you are intersted in learning more about the window films, click here 

Or you can visit the Ray Sands Glass display at the upcoming Reisling Festival in Canandaigua.