Had a client who insisted on those smart windows last year—top brand, solid warranty, the works. Still ended up calling me twice in winter because the sensors acted up. They're neat, sure, but personally I'd wait till the tech matures a bit more...
I hear you on the sensor issues. A friend of mine installed similar smart windows about two years ago—he was super excited about the energy savings and convenience. And yeah, when they worked, they were pretty impressive. But he had a similar experience with glitches, especially during temperature swings in spring and fall. Apparently, the sensors got confused by rapid weather changes and ended up stuck halfway between tint settings... not ideal.
That said, when they did function properly, he noticed a decent drop in his energy bills, especially in summer. So the potential is definitely there. I think the tech just needs a bit more refinement before I'd personally jump in. Maybe give it another year or two for manufacturers to iron out these quirks.
I've been following these smart window developments for a while now, and your friend's experience lines up with what I've read elsewhere. If you're still interested but hesitant, one workaround could be to start small—maybe install them in just one room first, like a home office or bedroom. That way, you can test their reliability through different seasons without committing fully. Plus, you'll get a clearer sense of actual energy savings before investing in the whole house.
I went the single-room route myself—tried them in my bedroom first. Honestly, I noticed a difference right away, especially during summer afternoons. But I'm still kinda skeptical about the overall cost-effectiveness long term... jury's still out for me.
Did the same thing—started with just my living room windows. A few quick thoughts:
- Immediate comfort boost, especially during winter evenings (less drafty, warmer couch sessions).
- Energy bills dropped a bit, but nothing drastic yet.
- Long-term savings? Still not convinced it'll offset the upfront cost anytime soon...
Overall, I'm glad I did it for comfort reasons, but if you're purely looking at dollars and cents, it's probably a toss-up.
Comfort's definitely a big plus, but I'd argue the savings can be more noticeable depending on your home's insulation and climate. If your place is older or you're dealing with harsher winters, the energy savings might surprise you over time. My folks upgraded theirs a few years back—nothing fancy, just decent double-pane—and they've seen a steady drop in heating costs each winter. Might not pay itself off overnight, but give it a few seasons...
"Might not pay itself off overnight, but give it a few seasons..."
Totally agree with this. We swapped out our ancient single-pane windows for some mid-range double-pane ones about three years ago. Honestly, the comfort factor alone was worth it—no more drafts sneaking in during movie nights! But the savings did creep up on us too. Our heating bills dropped noticeably after the first winter, and it's been steady since then.
I'd say if your current windows are really outdated or you're in a colder climate, it's definitely worth considering. You don't even need to go super high-tech or fancy; just decent quality double-pane windows can make a huge difference. Plus, there's something oddly satisfying about not hearing the wind whistle through your living room anymore...
Did a similar upgrade for a client a couple years back—old farmhouse, drafty as heck. They weren't sure at first either, but after one winter they were sold. Not only did their bills drop, but the wife joked she could finally sit near the windows without bundling up in three blankets. Comfort alone can be worth it, savings are just icing on the cake. Sounds like you're on the right track.
Did you notice a big difference in noise levels too? I've been thinking about upgrading mine, mostly because my neighbor's dog thinks he's auditioning for American Idol every morning at 6 am... Comfort and lower bills sound great, but if these windows can also tone down the canine concerts, I'm sold. Glad to hear it worked out well for your client—makes me feel better about taking the plunge myself.
"mostly because my neighbor's dog thinks he's auditioning for American Idol every morning at 6 am..."
Haha, I feel your pain—my neighbor's got a leaf blower obsession every Saturday morning. I've been eyeing those windows too, mostly for the energy savings, but if they can also tone down the weekend landscaping symphony, that's a huge bonus. Did you happen to notice if they help with street traffic noise as well? I'm near a busy intersection, so that's another factor I'm considering...