Window tint can help cut energy costs

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Indianapolis homeowner Steve Socrates is hoping window tint will make a difference he can feel.

According to Bill Swhear of Solar Concepts, tint can cut the temperature in a room by 5 to 10 degrees.

It can also be a do it yourself job. But Angie Hicks of Angie's List said use caution before you start the job.

"It might seem simple, but if you don't get them on right, they may not look really good. So the key is, be sure you know what you're doing and if you are going to tackle it yourself, try a small window that isn't as visible so you can practice," said Hicks.

Homeowner Steve Socrates understands how tough it is to do the job. He did an upstairs window on his own and left scratches and bubbles behind.

"It's very difficult to take that tint and actually apply it to the window and make it look like he makes it look. So yeah, it's a difficult process no doubt," said Socrates.

The cost of window tinting runs about $10 to $12 a square foot for professional installation. But the federal government has an incentive because window tinting is considered energy saving.

Swhear said, "Now this year they do offer a tax rebate and that's 30% up to $1500. That would mean right at $250 off the top for a tax credit for this job."

When it comes to the tax credit there are specific product specifications you have to meet to qualify. So make sure the product you use meets government requirements.