Sunlight isn’t only good for plants but also a significant determinant of the level of warmth (or coolness) in your house, the amount of money you spend on heating and cooling your house, and even the way your furniture and flooring look in the end. The angles and intensity of sunlight change with the changing of seasons, and that can make a real difference in the comfort and energy bills of your home.
Winter: Harnessing the Sun’s Warmth
In colder climates, the sun angles are lower and thus the sunlight normally arrives more at a horizontal position and has the potential to extend deep into the living areas, in case the windows are placed on the south or west side of the house. There is more than sunlight this natural light provides; it provides passive solar heat.
This heat can be used to warm your interior spaces using clean, well-positioned windows, which will save your heating system some load. The fact that windows lose almost one-third of the heating energy in a home makes it possible to reduce the winter heating bills significantly by maximising the ability of windows to collect solar energy, but also by making sure that the insulation is adequate.
Summer: Battling Overheating and UV Damage
During summer, the sun rises high, and its direct rays may enter the rooms, heating them fast. The additional solar heat has the capability of increasing air-conditioning consumption, leading to surging energy bills. Furniture, carpets and curtains subjected to UV sunlight through large or south/west-facing windows can also fade in intense sunshine.
Homeowners tend to use blinds, curtains, or window covers to cope with this. Energy experts explain that the useful coverings, such as shades or operable insulated blinds, can be used to control solar heat gain, lowering the cost of cooling during the summer seasons and conserving heat during the winter seasons.
The upgrade to high-energy glass, including glass with a low-emissivity (Low-E) coating, or double/ triple-pane insulated windows, can be of great benefit to the homeowner in sunny climates or where there is a large amount of window surface that can create a difference. These may assist in reflecting unwanted heat in summer, whilst allowing desirable light in winter, to stabilise temperatures in the house and use less HVAC.
The Hidden Impact: Dirty Windows
Another fact that most house owners never consider is the impact of window hygiene on illumination and the consumption of energy. Dirt, dust or grime – particularly on exterior panes – can considerably diminish the quantity of sunlight entering your home, reducing natural heating and lighting and compelling you to make use of more artificial systems.
As an example, window-care professionals’ study results indicate that soiled windows can obstruct up to 40 per cent of natural light, i.e. heating systems are operated more intensively in winter, and natural lighting is used more frequently during daytime.
Professional cleaning of the windows on a regular basis ensures that all the light is reflected back to the room, enhancing the passive solar gain during winter months, less artificial lighting is required, and your heating and cooling systems can work more efficiently, thus lowering the amount of energy bills.
Clean Windows + Smart Choices = Comfort + Savings
The sunshine, when used wisely, can naturally heat your home during the winter season, decrease the use of electrical lights and help maintain a comfortable indoor climate. However, the same sunshine can in summer overheat rooms, bleach the interiors and raise air-conditioning expenses. The distinction is usually on the type of glass, the direction that windows face, coverings, and the cleanliness of your windows.
Assuming that you need the assistance of a professional with your windows, cleaning, or upgrade, you may consider checking out Summit Window Washing, which focuses on keeping the glass transparent and allowing your place of living to enjoy the benefits of natural light (and heat) efficiently. If you want to get your home’s windows cleaned for better light and energy efficiency, visit best window cleaning company near Broomfield CO.
With some attention to sunlight, quality and cleanliness of glass and blinds or coating, where necessary, you can turn your house into a comfortable year-round home and keep your energy bills at a reasonable rate.
