LESLIE: Ari in New Jersey, you’ve got The Money Pit. How can we help you today?
ARI: Hi. I’m currently buying a 3,400-square-foot home with many large windows and …
TOM: Congratulations.
ARI: Thank you, thank you. And I was given an estimate on doing a 25-percent window tint. I was given an estimate of between $2,000 and $3,000 and I was told that that would help me reduce my utility bills.
TOM: Well, if this is a new house, what kind of windows are they putting in there, Ari? Are these Energy Star windows? Are they low-e windows? Are they insulated windows?
ARI: The truth is I’m not sure. I know they’re Andersen double-pane.
TOM: Oh, well that’s a very good window then. That’s a very good window. You probably have a low-e coating, so that’s going to reduce the heat; it’ll reduce the solar glare, to some extent, as well. I mean some folks like the tint but I don’t think that there’s an energy-saving argument for it; not on brand new windows like that, that are already pretty energy-efficient.
ARI: Uh-huh, uh-huh. OK.
TOM: I think you need to look into the qualities of the window that you’re getting with the house and make the decision from there. If these are Energy Star-rated windows, I think you’re in very good shape right now.
ARI: Uh-huh. OK, fine.
TOM: Alright? Maybe you can put that into furniture. (Tom and Leslie chuckle)
ARI: OK. (chuckles) OK, thank you so much.
TOM: You’re welcome, Ari. Good luck with that project. Thanks so much for calling us at 1-888-MONEY-PIT.
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