Interesting to hear the bills didn't change much—I was kinda hoping they'd make a bigger dent. Did you notice if the SageGlass helped at all with indoor plants? Mine are always getting fried by afternoon sun...
"Interesting to hear the bills didn't change much—I was kinda hoping they'd make a bigger dent."
Yeah, honestly, I wouldn't bank too heavily on smart windows for energy savings alone. Had a buddy install SageGlass last year, and while he loves the convenience, he said the actual reduction in his electricity bill was minimal. They're cool tech-wise, but if your main goal is cutting costs, might wanna look into other options first—like better insulation or shading solutions.
As for your plants, I get it—afternoon sun can be brutal. My indoor plants used to crisp up too. SageGlass does help a bit by reducing glare and heat, but it's not exactly a miracle worker for sensitive greenery. If your plants are frying regularly, consider moving them slightly away from direct sunlight or adding sheer curtains to diffuse the rays. Another trick that worked wonders for me was grouping plants together; they create their own microclimate and humidity, which helps prevent scorching.
Also, double-check your plant types. Some houseplants labeled as "bright indirect light" really can't handle direct afternoon sun at all. Switching to tougher species like snake plants or ZZ plants could save you a lot of hassle.
Bottom line: smart windows are neat, but probably won't solve all your plant issues or dramatically slash your energy bills. A few small adjustments around your home might actually do more good—and cost way less.
Yeah, good points overall, but I think you're underselling smart windows a bit.
"They're cool tech-wise, but if your main goal is cutting costs, might wanna look into other options first—like better insulation or shading solutions."
Fair enough—but don't underestimate convenience. I've got View installed (came with the house), and even though the energy savings weren't huge, the comfort difference is pretty noticeable. My living room went from sauna-level hot to totally manageable. Still agree about the plants though...had to move mine outta direct sunlight anyway.
I've got View installed (came with the house), and even though the energy savings weren't huge, the comfort difference is pretty noticeable.
I get the convenience angle, totally valid point. But honestly, after pricing out View and SageGlass for my own place, I couldn't justify it based on comfort alone. Ended up investing in some decent cellular shades and better attic insulation—did the trick nicely without breaking the bank. Still curious about long-term reliability though...have you had any issues with View's responsiveness or tint consistency over time?
I've been in a similar boat...first-time homeowner here, and I briefly flirted with the idea of smart windows. But man, those prices made my wallet cry softly in the corner. Ended up going with blackout curtains and some strategic landscaping for shade instead—surprisingly effective, actually. Still, I'd love to hear about long-term reliability too, especially since you're noticing
Any weird glitches or slow response times cropping up yet?"the comfort difference is pretty noticeable."
"Ended up going with blackout curtains and some strategic landscaping for shade instead—surprisingly effective, actually."
Honestly, I think you've nailed a pretty underrated solution right there. People often jump straight to high-tech fixes without giving simpler options a fair shake. I've done similar things myself—planted a few shade trees and installed thick curtains in our living room—and it's made a huge difference. Not just comfort-wise, but aesthetically too.
That said, I've been curious about smart windows as well, mostly because I'm a sucker for new tech. A friend of mine installed SageGlass in their office building about two years ago, and he swears by them. According to him, the comfort improvement is definitely noticeable—less glare, more consistent indoor temps, the whole deal. But he did mention that occasionally there's a slight lag between when the sun hits the window and when it actually adjusts tint. Nothing major or annoying, just something he's noticed on particularly sunny days.
Reliability-wise though, he hasn't had any serious issues yet. No real glitches or anything breaking down. But that's just two years in... makes me wonder how they'll hold up after five or ten years of daily use. And if something does go wrong, how easy (or expensive) is it to fix?
One thing I keep thinking about: if you ever sell your home, do you think smart windows would significantly boost resale value? Or would potential buyers see them as a pricey gimmick? Curious what others think about that aspect too...
Smart windows definitely have their perks, but from my experience installing both View and SageGlass, the upfront cost can be steep. Maintenance isn't too bad, but repairs after warranty can get pricey... resale value might not jump as much as you'd hope, either.
I've installed a few of these smart window systems myself, and honestly, I share some of your skepticism. They're definitely impressive tech-wise, and clients usually love the wow factor at first. But after a while, the shine wears off a bit when you factor in the costs—especially if something goes wrong after warranty. Had a client whose SageGlass panel malfunctioned just a year out of warranty, and the replacement cost was... let's just say, not pretty.
That said, I wouldn't completely write off the resale value aspect. It might not boost your home's value dramatically, but it can be a selling point for certain buyers who prioritize energy efficiency or smart home tech. Still, it's probably not gonna pay for itself anytime soon.
One thing I've wondered about though: have you noticed any significant differences in reliability between View and SageGlass? I've mostly worked with SageGlass, and while they're solid overall, I've heard mixed things about View's long-term durability. Curious if anyone's had direct experience comparing the two over several years of use.
I've mostly had experience with View glass, and honestly, it's held up pretty well over the past three years. Had one minor glitch early on, but their support sorted it out quickly. I get your point about the costs though—it's definitely steep if something major goes wrong. Still, the comfort and energy savings have been noticeable enough that I'd argue it does pay off... eventually. Not a slam dunk, but maybe not as bleak as you're thinking.
I've been on the fence about these smart windows myself. My cousin installed SageGlass about two years ago—he swears by it now, but at first he had some weird tinting issues. Took a couple visits from their techs to sort it out. Wonder if that's typical or just bad luck?