Did you know that in the summer about 76% of the sunlight that shines through your windows becomes heat?
We all know that the sun’s rays carry heat. We can feel the heat on our skin when we stand in direct sunlight. That’s why we try to stay in the shade in when its hot outside. When we move under a tree or an awning the sun’s rays are blocked and that helps us stay cool.
This same concept applies to your home. When sunlight shines into a room, the glass in the window doesn’t block the heat that comes along with it. This extra heat means that your home’s cooling system has to work harder to maintain a comfortable temperature, which means that it’s costing you more money to cool your home.
But, when you pull down the shade, or close the curtains, or close the blinds; this blocks the sun’s rays and keeps the heat on the other side of that window covering. The sun’s rays still enter through the window, but the heat is trapped between the window and the window covering.
Depending upon the type of window covering you use, this can be an effective way to keep the heat out a room. The less heat in a room, the easier it is for your cooling system to keep the room at a comfortable temperature, AND the less energy you use. Less energy used means a smaller electric bill.
There are a many different types of window coverings available; some are more effective than others. If you would like to find out more, check out this link to the U.S. Department of Energy’s website (https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/energy-efficient-window-attachments). Remember, savings energy isn’t just good for the planet, it’s good for your pocketbook.