Hi everyone! I’m planning to add a FoxESS battery system to my home solar setup and I’m also exploring how home window tinting affects indoor temperatures and energy usage.
Has anyone tried monitoring temperature changes or energy savings in rooms with tinted windows using FoxESS or connected sensors? I’d love tips on setups, sensor placement, and visualizing the impact in the FoxESS app or other monitoring tools.
Hi Thomas, not too many replies to your question unfortunately, and I can't really offer anything in terms of sensor usage with Fox systems, etc.
However I do have some comments about the 3M window tint product, like this:
https://www.3m.com.au/3M/en_AU/p/d/b00016721/
I installed the 70X product initially on an East facing window, and then subsequently used the 40X product on several other East and West windows. I can definitely vouch for the impact they make in terms of reducing heat from windows, it is really noticeable.
I initially used the lesser 70X as I thought the 40X would look too dim and non-natural, but it really doesn't change the colour of the view outside much at all, just a slight browning tinted effect really. I'd have to point it out to a visitor for them to even notice it, when compared to other windows.
Anyhow, probably not a lot of help, but there you go. I run a Homey Pro with Aeotec sensors (including temp & humidity) and they definitely showed a reduction in heat in those areas, once the tint was installed.
Cheers, Gray.
However I do have some comments about the 3M window tint product, like this:
https://www.3m.com.au/3M/en_AU/p/d/b00016721/
I installed the 70X product initially on an East facing window, and then subsequently used the 40X product on several other East and West windows. I can definitely vouch for the impact they make in terms of reducing heat from windows, it is really noticeable.
I initially used the lesser 70X as I thought the 40X would look too dim and non-natural, but it really doesn't change the colour of the view outside much at all, just a slight browning tinted effect really. I'd have to point it out to a visitor for them to even notice it, when compared to other windows.
Anyhow, probably not a lot of help, but there you go. I run a Homey Pro with Aeotec sensors (including temp & humidity) and they definitely showed a reduction in heat in those areas, once the tint was installed.
Cheers, Gray.
I’ve actually done something similar while trying to optimize cooling in one of our south-facing rooms, and the difference was more noticeable than I expected. I didn’t use FoxESS specifically, but I had a couple of temp sensors set up before and after installing tint, and the room was consistently a few degrees cooler during peak afternoon hours.
What made the biggest difference was reducing that direct solar gain through the glass, especially on east and west-facing windows like you mentioned. From my experience, using a proper tint for residential windows helps stabilize indoor temps, which in turn reduces how often your system has to cycle.
If you’re tracking it through sensors, I’d suggest placing one near the window and another deeper in the room to really see the contrast. It gives you a clearer picture of how much heat is actually being blocked versus just redistributed.
What made the biggest difference was reducing that direct solar gain through the glass, especially on east and west-facing windows like you mentioned. From my experience, using a proper tint for residential windows helps stabilize indoor temps, which in turn reduces how often your system has to cycle.
If you’re tracking it through sensors, I’d suggest placing one near the window and another deeper in the room to really see the contrast. It gives you a clearer picture of how much heat is actually being blocked versus just redistributed.