How Awning Outdoor Fabrics Can Help You Save Big on Energy Costs

Did you know that awnings provide more than just shade? That’s right; they can also cut your energy bill and save you hundreds of dollars by shielding your building from the sunlight and reducing solar heat gain. Remember, solar heat gain is the heat your home receives from sunlight. It’s like your home is an oven; the sun is the heat source; if you can’t control the temp, your house may get very hot.

In a 50-city survey by the Professional Awning Manufacturers Association, awnings are a “smart retrofit to reduce home energy consumption,” indicating that awnings could save homeowners up to $200 annually in energy costs. “For example, the study showed that awnings on a home with single- or double-glazed windows in Pittsburgh, PA can reduce cooling energy 46-50% in a hot year compared to the same house without awnings,” the PAMA study stated. “Correlating cost savings can range from $81 to $102. In a hot city like Phoenix, AZ, the net savings was $193 in a typical year.”

Simply put, the awning reduces the temperature in your building, which means your A/C unit doesn’t have to be turned on for as long. For example, if your home is 85 degrees without an awning, your A/C unit may have to be on for an hour to reduce the temperature to 74 degrees. However, with an awning reducing solar heat gain, your home may be at 80 degrees instead. Thus, your A/C unit doesn’t have to work as hard to reduce the temperature. You cut down the time your air conditioner is on and, ultimately, your power bill. According to the study, almost 20 percent of an air conditioner’s load is from sunlight that gets through the glass. Awnings reduce that load by helping to shield windows from sunlight.

Awnings can cool up to 15 degrees and reduce solar heat gain by up to 65 percent on south-facing windows and 77 percent on west-facing windows. Also, many awning fabrics don’t trap heat and moisture.

Awnings not only reduce energy consumption, but they are also:

• Protect your family from ultraviolet rays.
• Expand your living space outdoors.
• Protect your interior furnishings from fading and damage.
• Protect from rain if you’re using a waterproof material.
• Add to the aesthetic of your home or business.
• Be printed on, come in various colors and styles, and fabrics.
• Can be fire retardant.
• Can be retractable or stationary.

Awnings can be designed with specialty fabrics developed with UV ray resistance and the ability to block out sunlight. Finding the right textile supplier for an outside awning project requires some research. Remember, not all fabrics are created equally. If the material falls apart quickly, doesn’t withstand UV Ray degradation, or has no warranty, you might want to reconsider the textile you’re using.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, using opaque and tightly woven textiles help reflect more sunlight which reduces solar heat gain. This is why it’s essential to use high-quality awning fabrics. An awning’s material provides shade and reduces solar heat gain. This simple fact is what makes energy savings possible.

You rely on your awning for protection from the elements and aesthetic purposes, but damaging effects of Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter weather can wreak havoc on your investment. Download our free guide to learn about keeping your awning intact all year.