Lowering Heat Gain In Your Greater Cincinnati Home With Window Treatments
by Greg Leisgang on August 13, 2012
Posted in: Energy Savings
There are several ways to go about lowering heat gain in your Greater Cincinnati area home, but one of the most effective is to keep the sun out. Other than planting trees on the south and west sides of your home to provide shade, using certain window treatments is the most effective method of keeping direct sunlight out.
Here’s a look at some of your options.
- Overhangs and awnings: In new construction projects, it’s wise to incorporate overhangs above windows on the south and west sides of the home. When designed properly, they still allow winter sun to shine through, providing natural warmth when you want it. However, you can reduce solar heat gain by between 65 and 77 percent with awnings installed over south- and west-facing windows. You can also choose patio shade covers to shade an entire side of your home.
- Shades and blinds: Simply by pulling shades down over windows with direct sunlight hitting them, you have a cost-effective method for lowering heat gain. Blinds offer a little more versatility because their adjustable slats allow you to control light and ventilation in the room.
- Drapes: This type of window treatment is aesthetically pleasing and provides insulation around windows as well. Drapes with a white plastic backing reflect the sun’s rays most effectively, lowering heat gain by about 33 percent.
- Shutters: Interior and exterior shutters are great for lowering heat gain. They can also be incorporated into your interior design efforts or integrated into the exterior architecture, depending on which you choose.
- Mesh screens: These screens diffuse solar radiation well on windows that receive the most sun, but they will allow you to see through them at night. They should be installed externally and should cover the entire window.
With so many window coverings to choose from, it’s clear that lowering heat gain doesn’t need to be difficult, expensive or unsightly. To learn more about other heating and cooling topics, please contact Tri-County Heating & Cooling today. We serve customers in Butler County and the Greater Cincinnati area.