Energy Info

The benefits of awnings go far beyond aesthetic appeal. Awnings can enhance the look of your home or business by adding shape, dimension and color. Awnings offer energy saving benefits as well as protecting furniture, floors and carpets from fading.

You can actually feel the energy saving benefits. In a typical home, more energy is transferred through glass doors and windows than through any other construction element. In fact, on a hot day, more energy comes through one square foot of glass than through an entire insulated wall. Solar radiation (infrared light) through glass is responsible for approximately 20 percent of the load on an air conditioner. Properly designed awnings can substantially increase energy saved over film and tinted glass alternatives. Studies by the American Society of Heating and Air Conditioning Engineers show that during the period of the day when the sun shines directly on southern facing windows, a fabric awning reduces heat gain by 55 to 65 percent. For western exposure, the reduction in heat gain is 72 to 77 percent.

If you are considering an addition to your home, an awning over your deck or a patio offers a long-term solution to needed space at a lower cost. Your deck will be shaded from the hot sunrays as well as provide outdoor protection for your entire family.Awning style, color and fabric selection all effect the energy saving performance of the awning.

Style

It is important to select a style that will accommodate how much the sun penetrates the windows. For northern and southern exposure, sides may need to be added to the awnings for additional protection. For eastern and western facing windows, less protection is necessary. ItÕs important to know seasons make a difference. In order to take advantage of the sunÕs warmth, some awnings are designed to roll up and out of the way.

Color/Fabric

Color choice and types of material are important energy-saving considerations. Awnings with low solar-absorbing surfaces (light colors) maintain temperatures closer to the outdoor air temperature. As a result, air temperature under the awnings isnÕt raised appreciably. Awnings that absorb solar radiation (dark colors) may need to be vented to reduce radiation and heat build-up underneath the awning. Fabric construction can also effect heat dissipation.