You’ve all heard of different ways to lower your power bills in the summer, but don’t some of them include ridiculous and weird tasks, such as covering your windows in styrofoam? Or even more ridiculous? Not wearing clothes! Sure, walking around naked all summer may keep you cooler, but we’re talking about ways that won’t embarrass you that way. Everyone wants to lower their power bills, right? If that’s you, then here are some ideas that won’t embarrass you or your mom or result in calls to the police.

Turn up the thermostat

Yes, turning up your thermostat even one or two degrees can make a big difference in your power bill. And if you’re at work during the day, this method is even easier. Of course, in the winter, you’ll want to turn your thermostat down. Naturally, you might also consider a programmable thermostat that could reduce the temperature while you’re away from home.

Run big appliances at off hours

Does your power company have peak hours? When you run an appliance you are essentially buying power from your power company. In our case (San Francisco), peak hours are from 4:00 – 9:00 pm. So if you run the dishwasher, washing machine, etc. at other times, you’ll spend less. CNet has a good explanation of peak hours if you want to know more: Peak and Off-Peak Energy Explainer.

Use energy-star appliances (or maintain your old appliances)

Make sure your furnace and large appliances are kept clean and maintained regularly. If you don’t know when the last time your furnace was cleaned, maybe it’s time to start a house journal. We’ve written about energy efficiency before. Well, actually, we had Tim Meredith, an eco-conscious writer, write the guest blog post. You might like Ways to Make a Home More Energy Efficient.

Get an energy audit

Does your power company offer a free audit? If so, take advantage of it so that you can see where your energy dollar is being spent. There are also professional energy assessors. See this post from the Department of Energy: Professional Home Energy Assessments. An energy assessment can tell you where your home might have a leaky door or window.

Window film

You knew we were going to talk about window film, didn’t you? When you install window film, a single-pane window acts like a double-pane window, and a double-pane window becomes like a triple-pane window. So your indoor temperature evens out, you’re more comfortable, and you spend less on that energy bill. Window film can be energy efficient as well as beautiful. You might like our article about Wabi-Sabi.

We work all over the San Francisco Bay Area

Have questions about window film? Give us a call and we’ll walk you through some ideas! We’d love to help you choose the best window film for your energy-efficient home or office. We work all over the greater San Francisco Bay Area, from San Jose to the East Bay to the Peninsula and Marin–and beyond! Give us a call at 415.623.8700.

You’ve heard of wabi-sabi a lot lately, but did you know that window film can help you achieve the wabi-sabi lifestyle? If you have no idea about what we’re talking about, read on.

Define wabi-sabi

In traditional Japanese aesthetics, wabi-sabi is a world view centered on the acceptance of transience and imperfection. In other words, that heirloom piece that you might have otherwise thrown away, but fixed? That is the perfect embodiment of wabi-sabi. For instance, I have a Buddha statue that belonged to my mother, but it was badly chipped. When I repainted it gold, it came back to life. You can do the same with something of yours. One definition of wabi-sabi that is particularly wonderful is something that becomes more beautiful as it ages.

The art of imperfection

We’re not saying that you need to use torn or bubbly window film in order to perfect the art of imperfection. You can have a combination of the perfect along with the imperfect. And you might like us to install your window film for you just so you can have that contrast. Here are a few reasons you might like to have us install your window film.

Beauty is imperfect

That branch from your yard that you use to hang ornaments on every Christmas? That is wabi-sabi. So is the flower with a missing petal, or the photo of that bird with a slightly ruffled wing. It’s imperfect and maybe even more beautiful because of its imperfection. Nothing in nature looks like A/I–or if it does, it becomes…suspicious!

Create a sanctuary

You could go on an expensive vacation, or you could create a sanctuary at home every day. Those people who work at home might appreciate the idea of a sanctuary even more than people who work every day in an office. Of course, you could also use a little wabi-sabi in your office.

Use what you have

Window film can help create a blank or colored canvas for you to set your design against. When you have lots of drapes or window coverings on your windows, your design can get lost. We’ve written about how window film can help you create a clutter-free environment before. So create a clean space as a background, then use what you already have to make a perfect space. We particularly like 3M window film since it can be used in so many ways.

Harmonize your space

When your space is harmonized, you feel calmer and — not to be too woo-woo about it — more zen. Your life won’t be perfect, but then again, if you feel calmer maybe your life will turn around. Maybe you’ll even be able to deal with those weird neighbors without yelling. Who knows?

We wabi-sabi all over the San Francisco Bay Area

Did you know that wabi-sabi is a verb? If not, give us a call and we’ll tell you all about it! We’d love to help you choose the best window film for your wabi-sabi design. We work all over the greater San Francisco Bay Area, from San Jose to the East Bay to the Peninsula and Marin. Give us a call at 415.623.8700.

You already know about window film on cars and how it protects you from UV rays, but do you really need window film for your home and business? Let us tell you all the reasons you need it! It will only take a couple of minutes–pinky promise!

Your skin will thank you

Have you ever heard that saying Do something today that your future self will thank you for? No? Well, now you have! Skin damage is cumulative, which means that the slate is not wiped clean every night. Skin damage builds up over time, so what you do now will affect your skin for the rest of your darn life! Being exposed to UV rays (yes, even inside your home or office) can damage your skin. We’ve discussed this before, and you can check the Skin Cancer Foundation for their article: How much do you know about this sun protection strategy?

Protect your furnishings

Just like your skin, your rugs, furniture, and hardwood floors can be affected by the sun. We all have that one friend who lives in that sunny condo, but the floors have been bleached and their couch cushions look funny from being in the sun.

Provide privacy

If your neighbors are a little too close for comfort, why not put up some window film to get more privacy? People don’t have to know every time you are having a party! Although some people don’t seem to have enough going on, and are super nosy! We can advise you on the best choices for you and your neighborhood.

Like sunglasses for your house

Do you wear sunglasses indoors–and not just to look cool? We know people who do because the sun blasts through a window and they can’t see anything otherwise. Even some businesses have this issue. So protect yourself from glare with a little window film. By the way, you don’t have to put film on every single window. You can do a partial window, or even just one window.

Better energy efficiency

With window film, you can make your temperatures more even between the seasons. That means warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. Sounds luxurious, doesn’t it? That’s because it is! And with energy bills going up by the minute, it seems, why not take steps now to reduce your energy bill?

Reduces clutter

One of our favorite ways to reduce dust bunnies caused by excessive curtains and window coverings is window film. It’s clean and doesn’t collect dust. If you insist on collecting Disney cookie jars, though, we can’t help you. We recently wrote about reducing clutter.

Where to start with window film?

We know you’ve got questions! Call us and we’ll answer your questions or find someone who knows! Our CEO of Why You Need Window Film is standing by to answer all your questions. We install film all over the greater San Francisco Bay Area, from San Jose to the East Bay to the Peninsula and Marin. Give us a call at 415.623.8700.