People often jump straight to insulation or heating systems when they think about improving the energy efficiency of a property. These are obviously valid elements to look at but an overlooked feature to enhance is the window. It actually has a huge impact on the comfort in a property, as it’s where light and heat can enter a property. This is how solar shading can play a key role in energy performance.
Windows: A Key Weak Spot in Energy Performance
Windows bridge the gap between the outdoors and indoors – they provide natural light, but they’re also a source of heat in summer months and can be a source of heat loss in winter.
In warmer seasons, sunlight passing directly windows can lead to overheating, affecting the temperature of a space, which can lead to using more electrical appliances such as fans or even air conditioning units.
This can affect the comfort factor in a property but it also means that someone can be using more energy to make a property more comfortable. Solar shading can help to manage this issue before heat has entered a building.
Controlling Heat Before It Becomes a Problem
Solar gain can be managed externally via solar shading. Sunlight can be intercepted before reaching the window and building up heat from glare. Instead of using energy to cool a space after it’s heated up, limiting the property’s exposure to heat is more effective in terms of comfort and energy performance.
Internal temperatures can remain stable and reduce the need for artificial cooling methods that cost money and energy.
Reducing Reliance on Artificial Cooling
Managing overheating can be just as important as keeping in heat as we experience warmer periods of weather in the UK. Over the last few years, the number of heat waves have pressed this need to keep homes cool when possible, even more. Solar shading let’s designers and homeowners limit energy usage on artificial cooling.
Lower cooling demand means:
- Reduced energy consumption
- Lower carbon emissions
- Lower operational costs
Over time, these benefits add up and can be a good investment for the future.
Daylight Without the Discomfort
Solar shading systems can be designed make better use of natural light, limit glare in a property and make a space more comfortable, without compromising on brightness.
Too much glare can really affect focus and productivity, so being able to shade but still provide strong levels of natural light is positive.
Supporting Sustainable Building Design
Solar shading is part of sustainable architecture and a smarter way to design properties. Alongside other energy efficiency features such as glazing, effective insulation and renewable ways of providing energy.
Lots of new builds are integrating solar shading in from the outset, as we become more aware of the effect glare and temperature can have on performance.
More Than an Add-On
Solar shading should be a key part of building design instead of an optional extra. It plays an important role in internal comfort and energy use. Heat, light and comfort being enhanced can make a happier and healthier home or workplace.
Solar shading is about designing buildings that work smarter, in every season.
For more info and advice about solar shading for your property design, get in touch with our team at Urban Skies today.