Energy Efficiency with Retractable Awnings, Just in Time for Spring
About 90% of homeowners want to implement some kind of environmentally friendly or energy saving changes. That's a lot of good will (and an increasing awareness of rising energy costs). However, the biggest budget priority for outdoor spending is adding a new deck or hot tub, not investing in green technology. That also makes sense €" homeowners want to find comfort in their living spaces, so their first investment is toward things that enhance that experience.
Retractable awnings provide a two-fold solution that combines energy efficiency and functional recreation. Retractable awnings reduce air conditioning energy use an average of 25%, but they also make outdoor areas cooler and offer protection from sun, UV rays, wind, and mild rains, so outdoor space is more livable and enjoyable.
A Word on Energy Efficiency
According to the Minnesota Commerce Department, sunlight increases indoor heat almost 90% and is the biggest contributor to indoor temperature changes. Most energy efficiency measures attempt to deal with the heat after it has reached the home interior.
Managing heat after it's in the room can require a lot of money, such as installing new low-solar-gain windows, putting in programmable thermostats, or getting new equipment. It can also require uncomfortable changes, like setting the thermostat at 78 degrees or even as high as 90 degrees (using a rule of thumb that the indoor temperature shouldn't be more than 20 degrees cooler than outdoor temperatures). Lower cost solutions like reflective blinds are also less effective because heat-creating sunlight still reaches the interior of the home before being reflected.
The Professional Awning Manufacturers Association commissioned a study to see how energy efficient sun protection systems are which stop solar rays before they reach the interior of a room. For a year, in twelve cities, PAMA surveyed the effect of awnings on energy consumption and utility bills.
Stopping solar rays before they reach the room, at the exterior of the building, reduces the heat buildup between 65% and 77%. The PAMA study reveals that reducing the heat buildup means that retractable awnings lower indoor room temperatures 8-15 degrees. If solar energy is stopped outside the room, it requires less air conditioning naturally, so it's not necessary to raise your thermostat, and you'll still lower your energy use.
According to the PAMA study, energy consumption on houses which used awnings went down 69% in Seattle, 33% in Boston, 26% in Phoenix, and 10% in Miami. Any climate will realize lower energy use.
Using retractable awnings is important for homes with southern or western-facing windows, which are susceptible to solar heating. Retractable awnings on southern and western windows saves 25-50% more energy even than with eastern-facing windows or equally-distributed windows. This reduction holds even for windows with solar-gain glass, and is especially effective for windows with regular glass.
For Budget Buyers
Retractable awnings provide a very simple and relatively affordable avenue to control indoor temperatures. They're cost-effective for several different reasons, such as a long lifetime (over a decade), simple installation, and flexibility in where they can be used, from windows to porches to front doors and walkways. Two extra features €" motors and the retractable awning solution dyed acrylic fabric (not vinyl) €" are good for budget buyers because they make retractable awnings even more energy efficient, with little or no extra cost.
The first tip is to use a motor. This inexpensive option, often less than 10% the cost of the awning, means the retractable awning will be used (retracted) four times more than manual awnings. While awnings cause a significant reduction in air conditioning use, keeping awnings extended in winter increases heating expenses about 10%, and for areas with longer fall and winter seasons than summer, that increase can actually raise annual electricity bills. Retractable awnings are so easy to close, letting in effective solar heat in winter, that they don't affect heating bills.
Another recommendation is to use light-colored fabrics for the awning, particularly in high-sun areas of the building. Light colors reflect sunlight better than dark ones, which is even more effective in preventing solar heating indoors. Better awning companies have a large selection of fabrics (more than 200) with no price differences between the fabric options. For extra service, ask for swatches or look for drafting or 3D rendering programs that can help visualize awning styles before you purchase them.
Spring brings daylight-saving time, Earth Day, and spring cleaning €" reminders to reduce consumption and move outdoors. Retractable awnings make that possible cost-effectively both by reducing energy use and make your outdoor space more pleasing and comfortable.
Retractable awnings provide a two-fold solution that combines energy efficiency and functional recreation. Retractable awnings reduce air conditioning energy use an average of 25%, but they also make outdoor areas cooler and offer protection from sun, UV rays, wind, and mild rains, so outdoor space is more livable and enjoyable.
A Word on Energy Efficiency
According to the Minnesota Commerce Department, sunlight increases indoor heat almost 90% and is the biggest contributor to indoor temperature changes. Most energy efficiency measures attempt to deal with the heat after it has reached the home interior.
Managing heat after it's in the room can require a lot of money, such as installing new low-solar-gain windows, putting in programmable thermostats, or getting new equipment. It can also require uncomfortable changes, like setting the thermostat at 78 degrees or even as high as 90 degrees (using a rule of thumb that the indoor temperature shouldn't be more than 20 degrees cooler than outdoor temperatures). Lower cost solutions like reflective blinds are also less effective because heat-creating sunlight still reaches the interior of the home before being reflected.
The Professional Awning Manufacturers Association commissioned a study to see how energy efficient sun protection systems are which stop solar rays before they reach the interior of a room. For a year, in twelve cities, PAMA surveyed the effect of awnings on energy consumption and utility bills.
Stopping solar rays before they reach the room, at the exterior of the building, reduces the heat buildup between 65% and 77%. The PAMA study reveals that reducing the heat buildup means that retractable awnings lower indoor room temperatures 8-15 degrees. If solar energy is stopped outside the room, it requires less air conditioning naturally, so it's not necessary to raise your thermostat, and you'll still lower your energy use.
According to the PAMA study, energy consumption on houses which used awnings went down 69% in Seattle, 33% in Boston, 26% in Phoenix, and 10% in Miami. Any climate will realize lower energy use.
Using retractable awnings is important for homes with southern or western-facing windows, which are susceptible to solar heating. Retractable awnings on southern and western windows saves 25-50% more energy even than with eastern-facing windows or equally-distributed windows. This reduction holds even for windows with solar-gain glass, and is especially effective for windows with regular glass.
For Budget Buyers
Retractable awnings provide a very simple and relatively affordable avenue to control indoor temperatures. They're cost-effective for several different reasons, such as a long lifetime (over a decade), simple installation, and flexibility in where they can be used, from windows to porches to front doors and walkways. Two extra features €" motors and the retractable awning solution dyed acrylic fabric (not vinyl) €" are good for budget buyers because they make retractable awnings even more energy efficient, with little or no extra cost.
The first tip is to use a motor. This inexpensive option, often less than 10% the cost of the awning, means the retractable awning will be used (retracted) four times more than manual awnings. While awnings cause a significant reduction in air conditioning use, keeping awnings extended in winter increases heating expenses about 10%, and for areas with longer fall and winter seasons than summer, that increase can actually raise annual electricity bills. Retractable awnings are so easy to close, letting in effective solar heat in winter, that they don't affect heating bills.
Another recommendation is to use light-colored fabrics for the awning, particularly in high-sun areas of the building. Light colors reflect sunlight better than dark ones, which is even more effective in preventing solar heating indoors. Better awning companies have a large selection of fabrics (more than 200) with no price differences between the fabric options. For extra service, ask for swatches or look for drafting or 3D rendering programs that can help visualize awning styles before you purchase them.
Spring brings daylight-saving time, Earth Day, and spring cleaning €" reminders to reduce consumption and move outdoors. Retractable awnings make that possible cost-effectively both by reducing energy use and make your outdoor space more pleasing and comfortable.
