Nothing is more important to us on Earth than the Sun. Without the Sun’s heat and light, we’d be left cold, and without Vitamin D or energy. Saying that life today would be inconvenient without energy would be putting it mildly. Understanding how to limit the sun’s heat and light from entering our homes; however, affords us the opportunity to save money on large heating and cooling bills. Which, according to the Department of Energy, accounts for more than 48% of your home’s energy consumption.
Understanding Heat Gain
Heat gain is the term used to describe the accumulation of excess heat within your home. While it can come from any source that produces heat, it is most commonly the result of sunlight, which contains various levels (or wavelengths) of radiation. Don’t worry, solar radiation is more beneficial to us, than not. Sunlight streaming through your windows can cause indoor temperatures to go up.
There are several factors involved in rising temperatures in your home including the number of daylight hours, outside weather conditions, the angle of the sun in the sky, and the direction in which the windows face. Too much heat gain, as often evidenced by large energy bills, can reduce indoor comfort and make it increasingly difficult for your air conditioner to cool the home.
Every homeowner, no matter their climate, should take heat gain into consideration to reduce their energy costs. If sunlight is entering your home, via your windows, it has some effect on indoor temperatures. Luckily, there are many ways you can reduce the negative effects of heat gain, including installing quality window coverings throughout the home.
Window Coverings
Less sunlight equals less heat gain – period! To reduce the negative effects of heat gain, consider installing high quality window coverings. Blinds and shades offer significant protection against harmful UV rays, ensure your privacy, and are often highly energy-efficient. We highly recommend installing one of the following three products.
Faux-wood Blinds: Faux-wood blinds enable you to control how much light enters your home. And, with the option for motorization, this is something you can control at the touch of a button. This is a great choice for people who prefer natural sunlight but wish to block out the sun’s full intensity.
Cellular Shades: Cellular shades also enable you to block all light, especially if you choose a blackout version (perfect for bedrooms). These shades also offer improved energy efficiency, as they help to insulate the window from heat radiating through by trapping air in the specially designed honeycomb-shaped pockets. Cellular shades are available in wide variety of lifting options for your convenience including motorized.
Vertical Blinds: Vertical blinds are ideal options for covering patio doors or extra wide windows. These blinds are made in a wide range of opacity and color options, giving you the ability to block out sun completely or allow some light to shine through. Vertical blinds are also available in a multitude of material options including vinyl, fabric, wood, and woven wood. Motorization is not currently available for vertical blinds.