A Sunair® awning is a great way to add style and comfort to your home. But did you know that they can also help you save energy and money? They reduce the heat during summer months and maximize natural light. Sunair® awnings offer great benefits in reducing energy costs while keeping you cool on your deck or patio. Awnings are fabric or metal covers that extend over windows, doors, or patios to provide shade and protection from the sun, rain, and wind. Awnings can reduce the amount of heat that enters your home through windows, which can lower your cooling costs and make your home more comfortable in the summer. Awnings can also reduce the glare and fading of your furniture, curtains, and rugs caused by the sun. A Sunair® retractable awning also adds many additional benefits and energy savings by you being able to retract it when the awning is not in use, and you don’t have to take it down during the winter. Here are some facts and tips on how awnings can help you save energy and money:

  • There is a great study by the University of Minnesota and funded by the Professional Awning Manufacturers Association (PAMA) that compares the impact of awnings in twelve U.S Cities. This study was conducted by the Center for Sustainable Building Research at the University of Minnesota. This study revealed that awnings result in energy savings by reducing the direct solar gain through windows. According to the study, awnings can reduce annual cooling energy by as much as 20 -30 percent on unshaded windows in hot climates, such as Houston, and as much as 30 - 50 percent in moderate climates. Essentially this helps you manage your energy bill and keep the cool air in and the hot air out. Minimizing the amount of UV rays that can enter through your windows also helps prevent that heat from building up inside your home.
  • The Pama study also shows that awnings can reduce peak electricity demand, which can lower your energy bills and prevent power outages. Awnings can reduce peak demand by 13 to 17 percent in hot climates and by 9 to 11 percent in moderate climates. The amount of cooling energy saved varies depending on the number of windows, type of glass in the windows, window orientation and the climate the house is in. “What some people don’t realize is that in most homes, more cooling energy is lost through glass doors and windows than any other part of the house,” said Michelle Sahlin, managing director of PAMA. “Awnings are an effective way to reduce heat gain and prevent cooling energy loss in households.
  • Awnings can be used in addition to air conditioners, making it possible to install a smaller-capacity HVAC system or use less energy to cool your home. When used with air conditioners, awnings can lower the cost of cooling by up to 25 percent.
  • The Pama study also shows that by removing or retracting the awnings in winter while keeping them in place in the summer, the lowest total energy use is achieved.
  • A Sunair retractable awning lets in more natural light in wintertime and naturally warms the rooms when the awning is in retracted position and not in use. When the sun is shining, simply retract the awnings and allow this free solar heating to enter your windows. Allowing the sun to heat the windows and space also helps reduce your need to use costly energy heating your space.
  • Also, by adding automatic sensors like the Somfy / Sunis Wire Free automatic sun sensor to your Sunair® Awning, it will extend the awning automatically when needed most. Adding a sun sensor will enable the awning to extend automatically when the sun is out. This can be useful to keep the inside room of your house cooler rather than being exposed to the full sun and heat transferring through the window glass even when you are not at home. Adding a sun sensor also can help you protect inside furnishings and carpeting from sun damage. Similarly, an automatic winds sensor can be added to retract the awning if there is too much wind, helping to keep it safe and not get damaged.
  • Awnings also have a green appeal. Awnings are not only good for your home, but also for the environment. By reducing your energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, awnings can help you fight climate change and conserve natural resources. Awnings are also recyclable and biodegradable, depending on the material you choose.
  • Exterior awnings like a Sunair® awning are also more effective than interior window treatments because interior window treatments still allow the sun’s rays to hit the glass, and heat transfer through the glass of the window inside the space. Therefore, an exterior shade like an awning is a more effective solution.
  • You can also go to https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/energy-efficient-window-coverings and see how window coverings are effective and save energy.
  • According to Energy.gov, window awnings can reduce solar heat gain by Up to 65 percent on south-facing windows Up to 65 percent on south-facing windows.

Conclusion

Awnings are a fantastic choice to improve both the look and the function of any home or building. If you are looking for a smart and stylish way to improve your home’s energy efficiency and comfort, consider installing a Sunair® awning on your windows, doors, or patios. Awnings can help you save money on your energy bills, protect your home from the sun’s harmful rays, and enhance the appearance and value of your home. For more information on how awnings can help you save energy and money, consider installing a Sunair® retractable awning in your home. Contact Sunair® Awnings at 800-548-0408 or visit www.sunairawnings.com for a free estimate!