The US Government Confirms Dramatic Utility Savings by Installing Window Awnings
These days everyone is watching what they spend and looking for ways to reduce our use of natural resources. What if you could see a significant reduction to your energy costs, simply by adding an attractive awning to your home or business? The concept is actually quite simple – by providing shade over your windows, you can reduce the amount of sunlight directly hitting and passing through the glass of your home.
In a recent article from the United States Department of Energy, the government noted that the simple addition of a window awning can diminish the amount of solar heat gain during the summertime by up to an amazing 65% on all the windows facing south on your home, and over 77% on any windows facing west.
The results from this study are very exciting for any homeowners or business owners considering copper awnings for their building. Below is one of the tables they created to demonstrate the cooling energy saved by having an awning installed:
A Variety of Awning Materials
Traditional awning materials such as canvas or wood typically need to be replaced or recovered each 5-7 years. Newer longer-lasting materials are now being used in fabricating awnings, including polyvinyl and acrylic laminate that are shown to be water repellent and highly resistant to fading and mildew. Without a doubt, the longest lasting material requiring the least maintenance is a copper awning, which can last decades or decades without failing.
Proper Awning Ventilation
The government report stated that it is necessary to ventilate the awnings in an effort to reduce the amount of captured hot air trapped in front of the glass. Based on the awning design, eyelets (grommets) or other types of openings are crafted into the awning to provide air ventilation. Additionally, open sides and tops in the awning have helped reduce hot air build up.
Small Horizontal Awnings
The Department of Energy also noted that even horizontal awnings covering south facing windows during the warm months of the year can increase utility savings. By installing an awning on a west- or east-facing window, the homeowner can also make a dramatic impact on reducing heat transfer into the home.
Venetian, Hood and Hip Awnings
Venetian Awnings (side less awnings) are designed to be adjusted during the changes of the sun’s activity during the day, although they are less effective at blocking direct sunlight from the south. Hip Awnings work well for any type of casement window that is manufactured to open outward, and Hood Awnings are known to block out the most sun. Additionally, homeowners can install retractable or adjustable awnings that can be rolled back during the winter months to allow sunshine into the home.
Start Saving Today
For anyone looking for a permanent solution to a permanent heat problem, copper awnings provide the most bang for your buck. At Crescent City Copper, they met can be crafted in a variety of shapes and sizes to match the style of your home and enhance its aesthetic beauty.