The power of the sun is awesome! But, solar thermal radiation coming inside your home can be too much heat during summer months. If you have windows that face south or west, don’t count on your air-conditioner alone to reduce the heat inside. You’re wasting electricity and carbon emissions, if you do!
Blinds, curtains, and insulated window panes are helpful, but they’re not as effective as blocking the sun’s heat BEFORE it gets inside.
My husband and I have a south-facing sunroom with large windows and a skylight. The first summer we owned our house, that room was blistering hot. Indoor curtains did not help very much.
So, we installed an awning above the large windows that blocks the sun before it comes into the room. The awning also provides a bonus living space on the deck. :) At the end of each summer, we roll up the awning when we want solar heating. Was it a good investment? YES! That is the same original awning from nineteen years ago!
The awning doesn’t shade the skylight, so I installed an inexpensive car window shade between the screen and the glass in the skylight. What a huge difference that made!
I read that awnings can save 25% on your air conditioning bills. I believe it! For us, the awning made our house livable so that we don’t need air conditioning on most days.
I highly recommend installing an awning above your hottest windows, or even better — plant a shade tree! Your tree will shade your house, lowering your energy bills …AND your tree will sequester carbon! Now, that’s a win-win!