Solar heat from windows can make your home uncomfortable. Also, the sun’s heat increases the carbon footprint of your home. One way of fighting the heat from windows is using fans. You can also use your air conditioning system. But all these methods are not effective.
One effective way of dealing with sunlight heat is blocking heat. But how can you block heat from the windows?
There are many methods that you can use. The effectiveness of the methods varies, but they all help reduce heat gain. This makes your home comfortable. It also reduces the energy costs of using your heating and cooling system.
Cheap Ways to Block Heat from the Windows
1. Heat Reducing Window Film
Heat reducing window film is a transparent piece of plastic foil. It works by reducing the amount of heat gain that reaches your house. Here is how it works.
First, you apply plastic window film to the inside of your windows. The window film then creates a small space between the windowpane. The small space contains trapped air.
The trapped air acts as a form of a heat sink. It absorbs a small percentage of the heat directly from the sun. This method can be effective if you have enough window film for all your windows in the home.
2. Bubble Wrap Window Insulation
Bubble wrap window insulation can serve as an effective heat protection method. Also, using bubble wrap is a very cost-effective and do-it-yourself solution. It would help if you covered your entire windows with wrapping material for the method to work.
The wrapping material creates a bubble wrap between the window and the sunlight rays. This form of insulation absorbs some of the sun’s heat. Thus, the wrap helps to absorb more heat and keep your home comfortable.
You can also use bubble wrap during winter. But you should not expect much difference in temperature during the winter.
3. External Window Shading
External window shading is another useful method you can use to block sunlight. The goal of using external window shading is to block direct sunlight and heat. You can use blackout shades for this purpose.
Blackout shades block light from the sun completely from reaching your house. You can also use trees and shrubs. The plants will help reduce heat gain by blocking the rays.
Also, when they create fresh air. Window awnings and eaves are also part of external window shades. You may need an expert to help you construct them.
4. Panel Blinds
Panel blinds form a very effective way of managing the summer heat gain. They are window coverings with slats. The slats let you adjust how much light and heat comes into your house.
So, panel blinds give you the flexibility to control the heat from windows. If you shut and drape your blinds on a panel window, they become reflective.
So, they function like reflective films on your window. This helps very much if you have a sunny window frame. Moreover, window blinds are easy to install and maintain.
5. Heat blocking window shades
Heat blocking window shades work by directly preventing the sun’s heat from reaching your home.
They can be a good solution if you look for a simple do-it-yourself solution. The shades also reduce the amount of light that reaches your room.
6. Use Aluminum Foil
Using aluminum foil is one of the cheapest but most effective ways of preventing heat gain. The aluminum foil prevents the natural light from coming through completely. So, some people do not find it an appealing way.
But if you keep the shiny side facing outside, you can reduce the solar heat. It would help if you used aluminum foil of the right size for every window. Tape it properly to reduce solar heat gain.
Also, you can use this method to minimize heat loss during winter. So, although the method is not visually appealing, it works well.
7. Weather Stripping Seals
Weatherstripping seals help to prevent heat transfer through the window too. You can use the seals to cover all the open spaces at the edges of your windows. This will prevent direct heat transfer from the outside via the spaces.
8. Roman Blinds
Roman blinds or shades are fabric window shades that usually fit inside the window casing. You can either lower or raise your roman blind in neatly folded patterns from the window frame.
Roman shades are in a variety of shapes and colors. If you are conscious of the appearance of your window covering, you can go for roman shades.
Roman blinds are not perfect for blocking sunlight heat from windows. They offer minimal insulation. But they are good for blocking sunlight from a room. Consider using them with other methods for efficiency.
9. Cellular Shades
Cellular shades are special types of window coverings that have small air pockets. The air pockets form an insulative cover over your windows.
So, heat from outside can hardly penetrate through the air pockets in your room. This design makes cellular shades more effective than window films in reducing heat transfer.
Also, you can adjust the level of opening of your cellular shades. This gives you control over the amount of sunlight you let into your house. Shades are usually durable and easy to maintain.
You do not need to do anything to keep them working. But you may have to use them with other methods to achieve the best results.
10. Window Quilts
Window quilts are sheets of quilted material over your window panes. You can either open or close the window quilts by rolling or unrolling them. This gives you maximum control over how open or closed you would like them to be.
The quilts have a perfect fit over windows. When you close them completely, they reduce heat transfer from the window to your house.
They are useful because they can help you save money and keep your home comfortable. But they block the view completely when you roll them over the window.
11. Curtains and Drapes
The use of curtains and drapes is one of the common methods of reducing heat transfer. However, there is a clear difference between curtains and drapes. This is the case, although both are made from fabric.
Curtains are made to fit the size of the windows perfectly. Drapes are designed to go all the way to the floor.
Curtains and drapes can reduce up to 33% of the heat from the windows. The actual performance depends on the nature and color of the curtains and drapes.
12. Reflective Film
One benefit of using this method is that it does not block the light from your house. But it works well to reduce the scorching heat from a sunny window. Also, it is a cost-effective method of blocking sunlight heat from windows.
Installing the heat-reducing window film is a straightforward process. You can do it all by yourself.
Check for the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient value of your reflective film before buying. This value measures the amount of light the film can get to your house while blocking the heat.
13. Use Indoor Plants Near your Windows
Placing an indoor plant near your window is an effective way of reducing heat from the windows. Plants reduce the air and surface temperature around them.
They create a shade that reduces the amount of direct sunlight that comes through the window to the house. They also reduce the temperature through evapotranspiration.
This biological process creates a cover of cool air around the window. It helps minimize the amount of heat that reaches your house through the window. But this method works well when you combine it with others.
14. Plant Trees near your Windows
Planting trees near your windows can help reduce the heat. Trees provide natural shade around the window. The shade reduces the amount of direct sunlight that reaches your home.
Also, planting trees outside near your windows makes the home visually appealing. The tree leaves beautiful cast shadows inside the house during summer. But do not plant the trees very near the house.
The roots of the tree may damage the foundation of your house. The good news is that trees can help you reduce heat from windows without spending additional money.
15. Exterior Shutters and Shades
Using exterior shutters and shades can block sunlight heat. This method is effective because it reduces the amount of solar heat gain.
Remember, this method, like any other window coverings, is not 100% effective. Over time, solar heat seeps through. The exterior shutters and shades eventually let in unwanted heat.
One solution to this problem is to combine several methods. First, you can use materials that reflect heat in addition to the shades and shutters.
The shades and shutters block the sun’s rays. Shutters give you great flexibility. When the weather cools down, one can raise the shutters. This lets into the fresh house air.
16. Install Layered Window Dressings
Layered window treatments or dressings work quite well in reducing sunlight heat from windows. If you choose to use window treatments such as reflective films, you can effectively reduce the heat from the sun’s rays.
One benefit of using window treatments is removing them very easily. For example, if you use reflective film on your window, you can remove it by peeling it off. You can also use various types of window dressings.
Your choice depends on what you prefer your window glass to look like. All the dressings effectively provide great comfort and reduce your cooling costs.
17. Adjust the Direction of your Curtains
You can effectively minimize the heat transfer by adjusting the direction of your curtain. Consider whether you have south-facing windows.
Adjust your curtains to cover the direction where the direct sunlight is coming from. This will block the sunlight and reduce the heat transfer.
If you have the curtain and drapes, you can adjust both. Balance comfort from reduced heat and the need to see outside. This is because curtains block sunlight, heat, and the outside view.
18. Combine Multiple Methods to Block Heat from Windows
No single method can completely block heat from windows. For example, using tin foil or reflective blinds and window coverings may slow down the heating.
But eventually, the more heat builds up outside, the less effective they become. This is true even when you use window inserts.
You can combine multiple methods to block heat from windows. For example, you can replace your windows if the existing windows are old and worn out. Using energy-efficient windows will help lower the temperature and cooling costs.
You may also combine drapes curtains and interior shades. The drapes curtains give you control over natural lighting while the shades block heat.
Finally, window films can go with planting trees and shrubs outside the window. These methods are necessary if you do not have south-facing windows in your home.
Why should I Block Heat from the Windows?
Heat gain from the window frame makes your home uncomfortable. About 76% of the direct sunlight on your windows converts into heat. So, reducing solar heat gain will make your home more comfortable.
Also, you cannot rely on heating and cooling systems alone to reduce sunlight heat from windows. You need additional methods to block sunlight heat.
How much Heat Comes Through the Windows?
About 76% of the sunlight on a standard double pane window becomes heat. This is a huge amount of heat, especially during the summer. It can make the indoors very uncomfortable.
Using some methods like window coverings and window coating may reduce 78% of the heat inside a house.
How can I Prevent Heat Loss Through the Windows?
There are several ways to prevent heat loss through the windows. First, you can use internal window coverings like blinds and curtains.
Ensure the internal coverings fit perfectly. This step will prevent the warm air in your house from moving out with the heat.
What Happens if I Keep my Windows Closed?
It is important to open your windows regularly. Doing this will let in fresh air into your house. If you always keep the windows closed, pollutants and contaminants will build up.
This will compromise the indoor air quality of your home. Your health may be at risk if you breathe contaminated air.
Conclusion
In conclusion, blocking heat from windows should balance comfort and energy efficiency. First, you need to minimize the heat that comes through the window. This step will help you save energy bills on cooling.
Also, combining any methods like window covering and window treatment will make your home comfortable.