Tips & Advice
Window Tint Heat Rejection Explained: IR vs Total Solar Energy
Blackout Window Tinting
6 min read
Understanding heat rejection specs helps you choose the right window tint. Learn the difference between IR rejection and TSER for Bay Area driving.
Understanding Heat Rejection in Window Tint
Heat rejection claims can be confusing. "95% IR rejection" sounds great, but what does it actually mean for your comfort?
Solar Energy Breakdown
Sunlight contains three types of energy:
| Type | % of Solar Energy | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Visible Light | ~44% | What you see, brightness |
| Infrared (IR) | ~53% | Heat you feel |
| Ultraviolet (UV) | ~3% | Skin damage, fading |
Different films block different combinations.
IR Rejection vs TSER
Infrared Rejection (IRR):
- Only measures IR light blocked
- Typically at 900-1000nm wavelength
- Can show high numbers (90%+)
- Doesn't tell the full story
Total Solar Energy Rejected (TSER):
- Includes ALL solar energy blocked
- Visible + IR + UV combined
- More realistic comfort indicator
- Typically 40-60% for good films
Why Marketing Uses IR Numbers
IR rejection sounds impressive:
- "95% IR rejection" sounds better than "50% TSER"
- Higher numbers sell more product
- Technically accurate but misleading
The truth: That 95% IR rejection might only translate to 50-60% overall heat reduction because visible light also carries heat.
Real-World Heat Rejection by Film Type
| Film Type | IR Rejection | TSER | VLT Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dyed | 20-40% | 20-35% | 5-50% |
| Metallic | 40-60% | 35-50% | 20-50% |
| Carbon | 50-70% | 40-55% | 5-50% |
| Ceramic | 80-95% | 50-65% | 5-70% |
| Nano-Ceramic | 90-99% | 55-70% | 50-90% |
Why Ceramic Is Worth It
Ceramic films achieve high heat rejection while allowing more visible light. This matters because:
- Legal tint + heat rejection - 70% VLT films can still block significant heat
- Clear visibility - See clearly, stay cool
- No signal interference - Unlike metallic films
- Better durability - Won't fade or purple
Bay Area Considerations
Why heat rejection matters here:
- Valley heat: Gilroy, Morgan Hill hit 100°F+ in summer
- Coastal fog: Less UV but sun breaks through
- Commute driving: Hours in direct sun
- No A/C parking: Cars soak up heat quickly
Even "mild" Bay Area summers make heat-rejecting film worthwhile.
What to Ask Your Tinter
Questions for accurate comparisons:
- What's the TSER at 70% VLT?
- What's the IR rejection at 900-1000nm AND 1500nm?
- What's the UV rejection percentage?
- Is this tested by independent labs?
Our Film Performance
We use 3M and LLumar ceramic films with:
| Film | VLT | IR Rejection | TSER |
|---|---|---|---|
| LLumar CTX | 70% | 95% | 59% |
| LLumar IRX | 50% | 97% | 63% |
| 3M Crystalline | 90% | 97% | 40% |
| 3M Ceramic IR | 70% | 95% | 60% |
All films reject 99% UV regardless of darkness.
📞 Want real heat rejection? Get a quote
