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Awnings improve aesthetic appeal and are tremendously effective in moderating the inside temperature of your home. In a typical home, more energy is lost through glass doors and windows than through any other construction element.
When choosing an awning consider these energy-saving features:
CONSIDER STYLE –
It’s important to select a style that will accommodate how much the sun penetrates the windows.
> Southern and western exposures have the potential for extreme heat gain and awning sides may be needed for additional protection.
> For northern and eastern facing windows, less coverage is necessary.
> Seasons make a difference. In order to take advantage of the sun’s warmth during the winter, some awnings are designed to roll up out of the way and others removed and put away.
CONSIDER VENTING –
Awning design can create more air circulation to dissipate heat build-up. Select a shape that best suits the windows being protected, as well as the orientation of the windows.
CONSIDER COLOR –
Color choice and types of material are important energy-saving considerations.
> Awnings with low solar-absorbing surfaces (white) maintain temperatures closer to the outdoor air temperature. As a result, air temperature under the awnings isn’t raised appreciably.
> Awnings that absorb solar radiation (dark colors) may need venting to reduce heat build-up underneath the awning.
Did You Know?
Solar radiation through glass is responsible for approximately
20 percent of the load on an air conditioner. *
*Study by the American Society of Heating and Air Conditioning Engineers
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