Install Awnings for Natural Air Conditioning

Shading windows promotes passive cooling, and can reduce energy bills.

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Photo: Sunsetter

By The Daily Green Staff

To save money on high air conditioning bills, and make rooms more comfortable, install some awnings over your windows.

Awnings aren't just for stores and restaurants. By blocking incoming solar rays, they decrease cooling loads, which are among the biggest expenses for buildings. Take advantage of the fact that the sun travels across the sky in predictable arcs. In summer, awnings can intercept the near-vertical solar rays, while letting in the low-angle rays of winter. The farther north you are, the bigger the awning should generally be, since there will be greater variation in seasonal light.

Beyond the passive cooling benefits, awnings can also add value to your home, since they can serve to "dress up" and smooth out the lines, or create new outdoor spaces for lounging or entertaining. Plus, you can show potential buyers how they result in lower bills, a memorable talking point.

Several Sunsetter awnings have earned the Good Housekeeping Seal after rigorous testing by engineers in the Good Housekeeping Research Institute. Amazon.com sells Sunsetter 4-foot window awnings for $195, and 6-foot window awnings for $220. The Sunsetter Pro Motorized Awning is also available at cooking.com for prices ranging from $1,690 for a 10-foot awning to $2,529 for an 18-foot awning.

See 7 more ways to keep cool without air conditioning.

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