DavidRetractable awnings are a practical and convenient solution for providing shade and protection from UV radiation for you, your home, and your outdoor space. A high-quality awning can keep you cool and safe all day in summer. There are many benefits of adding retractable awnings to your home, one of them being lowering utility bills. Here are 3 ways retractable awnings can save you money on utilities.
1. Improved Energy Efficiency in Summer
Installing retractable awnings over the south and west-facing windows or terraces is a great way to keep you cool both inside and outside, plus it adds to the ambiance of your home.
By blocking the direct heat of the sun in summer, the temperature inside of your home will be naturally lower. The benefit of this is that you won’t be running your air conditioning as much. This can directly result in lower utility costs. The Department of Energy estimates that awnings can reduce solar gain in summer by up to 65% on south-facing windows and 77% on west-facing windows.
Another way awnings can save on AC costs is by providing a comfortable outdoor space that keeps people out of the house. For instance, if you are having guests for a summer cookout, offering a cool and dry environment on your patio will discourage people from wanting to go inside where the AC is running. It also means that your guests won’t be opening and closing the doors often which might cause your air conditioning to keep running constantly due to the cooler conditioned air escaping from inside.
2. Lowered Humidity
Are you relying on a dehumidifier or HVAC system to keep humidity down inside your home? Moisture can build up inside a home for a variety of reasons. It can be from condensation building up on windows and even walls when the warmth of the sun enters the house. A very warm home can cause the human body to perspire more. It can also encourage mold growth. Lower humidity means less need for dehumidifiers running that use electricity.
Moisture can also enter a home through poorly insulated windows, gaps in trim and under doors, deteriorated siding, and compromised foundation walls. One way to keep rain and snow from entering your home or from sitting on surfaces is by opening your retractable awning during a storm. The water will be directed away from the walls, windows, and foundation.
3. Increased Indoor Comfort in Winter
One of the best things about retractable awnings is that they are so easy to open and close. A sunny winter day is the perfect time to retract an awning to allow the warmth of the lower sun to enter through the windows. This will assist in keeping heating bills lower because you won’t need to crank the furnace or boiler all day. You might also notice that your mood is improved by the brightness inside the home on a cold winter day. Take advantage of the ease of opening and closing of a retractable awning in winter.