Stop the Sun From Increasing Your Energy Bill

As mentioned in last weeks Energy $ense post, tuning up your air conditioning system will help reduce energy use in the summer, but there is more you can do. Window coverings can help to reduce heat gain in the summer and heat loss in the winter. If you have window coverings on your windows already, close them during the times that the sun comes through the window. If you don’t have anything covering your windows, there are several types of coverings to consider, all of which have different affects. Awnings can reduce heat gain by 65% – 77%.  Blinds can reduce heat gain by 45%. Draperies can reduce heat gain by 33% and heat loss by 10% – 25%. High-reflectivity films can also be used to reducte heat gain. One such product is Scotchtint Window Film by 3M. If you’d like explore your options before the temperature rises, contact Energy Smart for assistance.