The question comes up every summer: does window tint Colorado Springs actually save money? I think the answer is pretty simple. Yes, but you need the right tint and you need a good installer.
Energy Savings: Where Tint Makes the Difference
Energy costs keep rising in this city. Running your air conditioner for hours is expensive. When sunshine pours in, it turns your car or your living room into an oven.
Window tinting Colorado Springs slows down how quickly heat gets in. It is not perfect, but it is a noticeable change.
Let us put it in perspective:
| Scenario | No Tint | Good Quality Tint |
|---|---|---|
| Car parked 8 hours in sun | Up to 50°F hotter inside | 20-30°F less heat gain |
| Living room with west-facing windows | Hot in the evening, AC runs low | Noticeably cooler, AC runs less |
The biggest change comes in cars, but homes benefit too.
How Does Tint Lower Bills?
By cutting heat gain through glass. Heat gain means your air conditioning must work overtime.
Colorado Springs window tint blocks the sun before it turns your house or car into a hot box. Less heat in, less work for your fan or compressor.
One summer, my electric bill dropped by $30 a month after tinting the living room windows. I did not expect such a big change, but it added up.
Is Window Tint Worth the Investment?
You pay once. You save each hot month. Tint does not wear down quickly, so in a few seasons, it often pays for itself.
Home window tinting Colorado Springs usually costs $6-12 per square foot depending on film and window type. If you tint 200 feet, that is a $1,200 initial bill. But if you save $30 a month on cooling, it is only a few years before you break even.
Comparing Films: Which Is Best for Energy Savings?
Ceramic and carbon films lead here. They block more heat than dyed or metallic films. These are the films you find at RM Window Tint or Rocky Mountain Tint, both now use them a lot.
- Ceramic: Highest heat/UV block. Costliest, lasts longest.
- Carbon: Good heat block. Cheaper than ceramic.
- Dyed: Some heat and glare control. Least expensive, shortest life.
If energy savings is your focus, I would skip dyed or metallic films.
What About Winter?
I hear this question: will tint make homes colder in winter? Not really. Many modern films are “low-e,” which means they reflect heat back inside. Your home holds warmth better.
Energy Star Ratings and Window Tint
Some films from RM Tint or Rocky Mountain Tinting have Energy Star certification. This means they are officially tested for energy performance. It is not a guarantee, but it is a good sign.
Real-World Results: Case Studies
A neighbor who runs numbers for a living tracked his before and after bills for a year. He saw his July electricity use drop 15 percent in the months after tinting. Most of that was in the afternoons.
He tinted the main living room and upstairs bedrooms only. Other rooms did not change.
Choosing the Right Installer
You find a lot of options searching window tint Colorado Springs. Some shops push the same film on everyone. Instead, ask them to show you heat rejection and UV block numbers for each film.
RM Tinting and Rocky Mountain Tinting often have samples and meters. If a shop does not, walk away.
Is DIY Tinting Worthwhile?
Not really. Bubbles and poor fit reduce the film’s power to block heat. Also, many over-the-counter films do not match the performance of professional installations.
What About Warranties?
Quality tints usually come with a multi-year to lifetime warranty. Ask if it covers both material and labor.
Car Window Tinting: Gas Savings
Cars do not use as much energy as homes. But using your AC less actually saves gas, especially in SUVs or vans.
One small thing: very dark car window tint Colorado Springs can be illegal. Stay within the legal range or risk a fine.
Do Home and Car Tints Look Different?
Yes. Home tint is often lighter, almost invisible. Car tints go darker for privacy, but you can choose clear films that block UV without changing the look much.
Do All Tints Work the Same?
Absolutely not. Cheaper films last fewer years and block less heat. Warranties on low-end products are rarely honored.
Is There a Downside?
Windows facing north do not get a lot of sun, so tint does almost nothing there. Every room is different. Sometimes a good curtain and a slightly lighter film give the right balance.
How Soon Will You Notice Savings?
The cooling difference after tinting can be immediate. The first time you touch a dashboard in a tinted car after a hot day, you realize how intense the sun was before.
Bills change slowly, though. One season to see clear patterns.
Comparing RM Window Tint and Rocky Mountain Tinting
I noticed both offer similar pricing, but RM Window Tint seems to get better reviews for customer service. Rocky Mountain Tinting has a bigger range of residential films. Your needs might push you one way or the other.
Is Window Tinting Always the Best Solution?
No. Sometimes shade trees, overhangs, or better blinds save as much money. But you cannot always grow trees fast or remodel your home.
Tint works everywhere glass is exposed. It pairs well with other energy-saving steps.
Finishing Thoughts
Window tint Colorado Springs may not solve everything, but lining up a good quality film, installed by a shop that knows their products, saves money over time. For homes or cars, the numbers add up if you stick around for a few hot summers. Check out RM Tint or Rocky Mountain Tint, or any shop willing to walk you through the actual science of their films, not just the price tags.
