Saving Energy

Energy Savings for Your Home or Business

Awnings have advantages that contribute to more sustainable building, according to a detailed study at the University of Minnesota’s Center for Sustainable Building Research.

Their findings:

• Awnings result in cooling energy savings by reducing direct solar gain through windows
• Peak electricity demand is also reduced by awnings

They studied the impact of awnings in seven cities: Minneapolis, Boston, Seattle, Albuquerque, Phoenix, St. Louis and Sacramento. These represented a predominantly cold climate, a mixed heating and cooling climate, and a hot climate. In each case, they found significant percent savings in cooling costs. (“Awnings in Residential Buildings: The Impact on Energy Use and Peak Demand.” Copyright 2006 Regents of the University of Minnesota.)

Awnings are Effective to Reduce Solar Heat Gain

Solar gain (also known as solar heat gain or passive solar gain) refers to the increase in temperature that results from solar radiation. The amount of solar gain increases with the strength of the sun, and with the ability of any intervening material to transmit or resist the radiation.

Objects struck by sunlight absorb the short-wave radiation from the light and re-radiate the heat at longer infrared wavelengths. Where there is a material or substance between the sun and the objects struck that is more transparent to the shorter wavelengths than the longer, then when the sun is shining the net result is an increase in temperature - solar gain. This effect, the greenhouse effect, so called due to the solar gain that is experienced behind the glass of a greenhouse, has since become well known in the context of global warming.

Retractable Awnings Work Best to Save Energy All Year

During cold weather, when passive solar heat gain through your windows helps warm your home…retractable awnings can be retracted to allow the warmth of the sun into your home.

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Save Energy with Awnings