The Energy Policy Act of 2005 created federal tax credits for homeowners who make certain energy efficient improvements. In January 2013 President Obama extended these tax credits for energy efficient home improvements made in 2012 or 2013. Consumers purchasing qualifying 3M Window Film products between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2013 can receive a tax credit. Click here (PDF, 1.3 Mb) for a list of qualifying 3M Window Film products. A tax credit directly reduces your overall income tax, which is much better than a deduction, which reduces the amount of income subject to tax. Homeowners can receive a 10 percent credit on the costs of qualified window film products, up to a maximum of $500. Must be an existing home and your principal residence. New construction and rentals do not qualify.

Complete IRS form 5695 and file your 2012 or 2013 Income Tax Return. Download IRS form 5695 (PDF, 206 Kb) from the IRS website, along with a list of other available energy efficiency tax credits. You will need a copy of the dealer invoice for the window film product, separated by cost for film and installation. Installation costs are not eligible for the tax credit. You will also need a copy of the manufacturer’s certification statement, which determines which products qualify based upon where you reside. Make sure to keep a copy of both of these documents for your records.

More Than One Way to Save Money…

Energy efficiency can lower your federal tax bill and your monthly energy bill. Heat gained through windows makes up a significant portion of your summer utility bill. 3M Window Films reduces heat gain by up to 79 percent, which helps lower energy consumption.

Other Advantages of 3M Window Film

In addition to energy and dollar savings, window film offers numerous other advantages. As a homeowner, you can improve indoor comfort by reducing or eliminating hot spots. Another benefit is reduced fading of your home furnishings, helping to keep your home looking beautiful. By blocking up to 99% of the sun’s UV rays, our films help protect your family. Selecting 3M Window Films give you peace of mind. That’s because we have one of the most comprehensive warranties you can get; backed by a company you know and trust.

Another Great 3M Product You Can Trust

In the home, in the office, in the lab and on the work site, every day people all over the world turn to 3M products. Our quality is unchallenged and our commitment to innovation is unmatched. From great consumer brands like Scotch Tape and Post-it Notes, to leading edge technology and medical products, 3M has earned the world’s trust.

To Learn More or Purchase Window Film

Our 3M Authorized Dealers are skilled solutions providers and are available to answer questions or provide assistance. To purchase 3M Window Film or to learn more about window film, visit www.3m.com/windowfilm.

Manufacturer’s Certification Statement (PDF, 1.4 Mb)

IRS form 5695 (PDF, 206 Kb)

For more information on window films and window tints,  please contact Stop The Sun, Inc.  We are San Diego’s Premiere 3M Prestige Window Film Dealer!

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Image courtesy of [Arvind Balaraman] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Every year, just when the weather gets warm, the flowers are in bloom, the sky is blue, and you want to finally enjoy the view from your windows, the heat from the sun forces you to close your blinds or draw those drapes.  Now who wants to do that?

Maybe this is finally the year to invest in 3M’s sun control window films and reclaim your view: here are some of the many benefits of having your windows tinted and how it can help you beat the heat.

• –Tinting is relatively simple: Today’s 3M window tints are ultra-thin, lightweight, and head and shoulders above their predecessors in terms of quality and aesthetic beauty. Best of all, getting your windows tinted is an extremely simple and super-fast process that won’t disrupt your family’s routine or bust your budget.
• –Remember that easy chair by the window that you love to read in during the winter months? Now you can enjoy your favorite reading spot during the summer months too. Window tints helps to reject the sun’s heat as well as block out 99.9% of UV rays. Your entire home will be more comfortable to live in, and you won’t have to close the blinds, shades or drapes anymore!  An added benefit of course is that all that solar heat rejection will be reflected in lower cooling bills and a longer life span for your air conditioning system.
• –More privacy: Today’s films are not only attractive and an effective barrier against solar heat, but some 3M window films also protect you and your loved ones from the prying eyes of nosy neighbors (or prowlers) during the day!

This is one home improvement project that is easy on your pocketbook, yet provides cool summer comfort that is truly priceless.  So give Stop The Sun, Inc. a call to schedule an appointment for us to come out and give you a quote!  We are San Diego County’s Premiere 3M Window Film Dealer!

A lot of our customers ask what 3M’s Prestige 70 sun control window film will look like on their windows. Customers who are usually interested in Prestige 70 like the fact that you can’t tell the window film is there, but that they are still getting the benefits of a darker film and saving you energy.

Prestige Series films combine lower than glass reflectivity with film options that allow most of the light into your home. Prestige Series films allow 40% to 70% of the natural light into your home. The only thing you’ll see day or night, inside or out, is a beautiful window.

Here is an example of before and after installation of this window tint:

For further information on 3M’s Prestige sun control window films or any other window films or window tints, please contact Stop the Sun, Inc.  We are San Diego’s Premiere 3M Prestige Window Film Dealer!

We get a lot of questions on how sun control window tints can help benefit people from the suns dangerous UV rays and the suns heat. This video will explain how 3M’s Sun Control Window Films Can Help! To schedule a quote or for further information on 3M Window Tints and Films for your home, business, or commercial building, please contact Stop the Sun, Inc. We are San Diego County’s Premiere 3M Prestige Window Film Dealer!

Today is our National Day of Prayer and one thing at Stop The Sun, Inc. that we find most worthy of a prayer is for the men and women overseas who are fighting for our freedoms and the people they are helping to protect.

Here’s a video to give our thoughts and prayers to all those who serve:

For further information about Stop the Sun, Inc. and what we have to offer in window tints and window films, please contact us. We are San Diego’s Premiere 3M Prestige Window Film Dealer!

In San Diego we are blessed to be able to wear sunglasses to protect our eyes from the suns dangerous UV rays almost every day.  Did you know that Sun Control Window Tints are a lot like a good pair of sunglasses?  Let’s take a look at why:

• Sunglasses need to provide protection from ultraviolet rays in sunlight. Ultraviolet (UV) light damages the cornea and the retina. Good sunglasses can eliminate UV rays completely.

• Sunglasses should provide protection from intense light. When the eye receives too much light, it naturally closes the iris. Once it has closed the iris as far as it can, the next step is squinting. If there is still too much light the result is damage to the retina. Good sunglasses can block light entering the eyes by as much as 97 percent to avoid damage.
• Sunglasses provide protection from glare. Good sunglasses can help eliminate glare using polarization.

3M’s Sun Control Window Films do just about the same as a great pair of sunglasses, but with even more benefits like heat rejection and savings on energy costs.

3M Sun Control Tints are designed to reduce the amount of solar heat transmission through window glass by increasing the solar reflection (not necessarily visible reflection) and solar absorption through the glass.

Typical colored or dyed films work primarily through increased absorption. The color absorbs the solar energy at the glass, thus reducing the direct transmission into the room. These films are not as effective as reflective films for reducing heat.

Reflective films are films that have been precision coated with metals. These metalized films are designed to increase the solar energy reflection of the glass. 3M reflective films range from moderate to excellent in solar performance (heat gain reduction).

All 3M Sun Control Films are made to be transparent and optically clear. The ultraviolet protection is built into the adhesive system to provide longevity to the film as well as provide UV protection for your home and office furnishings.

Most 3M Window Films are protected with our abrasion resistant coating that provides long-term durability and maintained appearance.

• Energy savings: reduce cooling costs by up to 30%
• Fade reduction: block up to 99% of harmful UV rays to reduce fading of furnishings and carpet
• Sun control: improve comfort and maintain temperature consistency from one room to another
• Glare reduction: improve television and computer screen viewing

For further information on 3M window films or to schedule a quote, please contact Stop the Sun, Inc.  We are San Diego County’s Premiere 3M Window Film Dealer!

Image courtesy of [stockimages] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

How can  Control Window Tints help someone who has Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is a chronic illness that causes immense physical pain and debilitating fatigue. Classified as a syndrome, fibromyalgia is not a disease. Instead it is a condition that causes many different symptoms. These symptoms affect all systems in the body. Fibromyalgia plagues up to 5% of the population, with 6 million sufferers in the United States alone. The name Fibromyalgia comes from “fibro” meaning fibrous tissue (such as tendons and ligaments), “my” meaning muscles, and “algia” meaning pain.

One of the symptoms that comes with Fibromyalgia is skin sensitivity to the UV rays in sunlight.  Installing 3M window film for someone who suffers from this symptom of Fibromyalgia on their home and vehicles can have benefits that are extraordinary.  3M Window Films help block the UV rays by 99% which helps the person be able to have their windows open at home instead of closing the blinds or drapes during the day, and lets them be able to drive their car without being exposed to the harmful UV rays from the sun.

3M Window Film is recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation.

For further information on 3M window films or to schedule a quote, please contact Stop the Sun, Inc.  We are San Diego County’s Premiere 3M Window Film Dealer!

Image courtesy of [ponsuwan] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

In San Diego, almost 1/4 of our annual utility costs are paid to keep us cool. There are many ways to reduce cooling costs while maintaining comfort. First, reduce heat gain by reflecting or blocking sunlight from the home; second, reduce heat-generating sources in the home; and third, remove built-up heat in the home. Reducing summertime humidity is also needed to stay comfortable and you can help to do this with sun control window films.

Here are some other ways to help you save energy and keep the heat out…..

No Cost:

• Set your air conditioners thermostat to the highest comfortable temperature setting during the day. For every degree you raise the setting, you reduce cooling costs 3 to 5 percent.  With your new window tint installed it will help to keep your house cool while your air conditioner doesn’t have to work as hard.

• Don’t place warm appliances (such as lamps or TV sets)near the air conditioning thermostat because the warmth will cause the air conditioner to think the whole house needs extra cooling.

• Ceiling fans cool people, not rooms. Turn off the ceiling fan when the room is unoccupied. Also, to save energy when using a ceiling fan, turn up the thermostat a degree or two.

• Shut the shades and drapes on the sunny side of the home to keep out the sun’s heat. For the most benefit, drapes should be made of a tightly woven, light-colored, opaque fabric.

• Make sure that your attic is adequately ventilated to remove excess heat. Natural attic ventilation works best by pulling air through unobstructed soffit vents and exhausting the hot air through ridge vents, turbine vents, or gable vents.

• Reduce heat and moisture that result from indoor cooking.  Keep the lids on pans especially when simmering or boiling food for a long time. Use smaller appliances such as a toaster oven or microwave, or cook outdoors whenever possible.

• Keep your air conditioner free of obstructions and vegetation so that air can flow freely. Clean the outdoor condenser every year with a strong stream of water to remove dirt, leaves, grass, etc.

• Don’t block the flow. Move furniture or other objects away from the registers to prevent the blockage of cool air.

• Keep your interior lights low or, if possible, completely off during daylight hours. Light fixtures generate heat, and therefore add to your cooling costs.

Low Cost

• 3M sun control window tints, keep the sunlight from adding heat to your home. Over forty percent of the unwanted heat that builds up in your home comes in through the windows.  Sun control films can reflect as much as 99% percent of the incoming UV Rays. Look for a window film that  reduces summer solar heat gain.

• Seal around windows, doors, electrical outlets and openings or holes in exterior walls. Don’t let hot air leak into the home!

• Provide shading with trees and other vegetation or exterior shades or awnings.

• Use bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans to remove heat and humidity when bathing and cooking.

• Install a programmable thermostat. A programmable thermostat costs about $100, is easy to install and can save from $70 to $115 a year on your home heating and cooling costs, easily paying for itself.

• Change the furnace filter every month. This will help your air conditioner run more efficiently, keep your air cleaner and prolong the life of your system. A dirty or clogged filter will demand more energy and slow down the cooling process.

• An annual tune-up of your air conditioner by a service expert can improve your unit’s efficiency by as much as 20 percent as well as lengthen its performance life.

Investment:

• Add attic insulation. The attic is the best place to start insulating.

• Seal the ductwork. Ask your HVAC professional to check for duct leakage. Sealing the leaks can reduce cooling costs from15 to 20 percent or more. Have the ducts sealed with duct mastic or UL approved duct-sealing tape (don’t accept what is commonly called “duct tape”). Make sure that the ducts are insulated and foil tape is used to vapor-seal the insulation.

• New, energy-efficient appliances generate less heat and use less energy. When it’s time to purchase new appliances, make sure they are energy efficient. Compare the operating costs on the EnergyGuide labels on refrigerators, dishwashers and dryers. Also, look for the ENERGY STAR label.

• Install windows with low-e and low solar heat gain coatings if your windows are in disrepair and need replacing; this can cut cooling costs by 38 percent. This type of window is most valuable on sunny, west facing windows.

For further information on window films or to schedule a quote, please contact Stop the Sun, Inc.  We are San Diego’s Premiere 3M Prestige Window Film Dealer!

Image courtesy of [prozac1] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Today is Earth Day.  For over 40 years this day is a day to remember what our Earth is all about and what great things it has to offer.

Earth Day is about saving our Earth.  Saving energy is a huge part of  it, and of course sun control window tints are part of saving energy.  The more energy we save the happier the Earth and the happier the customer is when they get their monthly bill!

So remember if you love our Earth and help keep it green, then you should consider having 3M window film installed on your home, business, or commercial building.  The summer is right around the corner in San Diego and the sun is going to get a lot more intense, give us a call and let’s talk about keeping your house or business cooler and saving more energy!

Have a wonderful Earth Day everybody!

For further information on window films or to schedule at quote, please contact Stop The Sun, Inc.  We are San Diego’s premiere 3M Prestige window film dealer!

Image courtesy of [jannoon028] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

So how do Sun Control Window Tints work and how can they make me more comfortable?

Window Film makes commercial buildings and homes more pleasant and energy efficient.  Windows bring the bright sun’s  light into your building and can provide spectacular views. But as much as you cherish the views and natural light, your windows can also let in too much heat, light and glare causing damage to your hardwood floors, furniture, art, and even your skin.

These window films can help fix that.

Sun Control Window Films let you keep the light while reducing and eliminating the things you don’t want – too much heat, light and sun damage.  It will also help lower your energy bill, and that’s good news to anyone.  Even better, you can do all this without changing the look of your windows.

A common misconception is that window film has to be dark. This isn’t necessarily true.  In reality, there are a lot of different films to choose from, ranging from very dark “limo-type” films to the newer “state-of-the-art” virtually clear high performance films, so you can choose a film to suit your preference.

(One thing to remember, glare is a function of light – The darker the film the better the glare reduction.  So if glares your issue you will need a dark film.)

And Sun Control films don’t just block visible light, they also block 99.9% harmful cancer-causing ultra-violet (UV-A and UV-B) rays as well as a portion of the infra-red (IR) rays that cause heat to build up in your home, business, or commercial building.

Sun control window tints also help reduce the fading of valuable furniture, art work, carpets and/or wood flooring, etc.  While these things will still fade with time, the sun control window film will slow this process down enormously!

So why wouldn’t you have sun control window films installed on your home or business?  For further information or to schedule a quote, please contact Stop the Sun, Inc.  We are San Diego’s Premiere 3M Window Film Dealer!

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net