Achieving a sustainable lifestyle means avoiding waste, and one big way to do this is by ditching single-use items and using reusable ones instead. For instance, choosing a window shade system that can reduce glare and solar heat gain can significantly reduce energy consumption. The research found that automated insulating shades save energy in buildings and, in some cases, pay back the installation cost within three to five years.
Reduce Glare
Nothing is more annoying than a bright sun glare that temporarily blinds you as you read, watch TV, or work at a computer. Besides being inconvenient, sunlight glare can cause eye strain and even permanent damage to the retina. J Geiger Shades shading systems help reduce irritating solar glare while allowing plenty of natural light to enter offices and homes. Awnings are an excellent solution that can be easily rolled out on sunny days and folded away again when no longer needed. Window film is another option that can be tinted to eliminate glare and protect interiors. These films are often used on shop windows and counter displays but can also be applied to residential windows.
Improve Indoor Comfort
Window shading systems help keep spaces insulated and comfortable all day, eliminating the need for costly mechanical cooling. They also allow natural light to penetrate the home, providing more natural energy that promotes productivity and overall well-being. Intelligent shades can be programmed to open and close on a seasonally optimized schedule for optimal thermal performance. They can also be controlled via smartphone or integrated into a building management system. Whether used as an external or internal solution, windows with Hunter Douglas Shades are more practical and convenient than traditional curtains. With only a button to press, they are visually pleasing and provide many design choices to complement any house.
Reduce Noise Pollution
Whether it’s from nearby planes, loud neighbors, or the constant rumble of traffic, noise pollution is a real nuisance. Not only does it interrupt your sleep patterns, but it can also cause a variety of health problems, such as heart disease. Shading systems like shutters or blinds can help impede outside noises. But cellular shades offer a more effective solution with their honeycomb design that traps and blocks sound.
Choosing window films over traditional windows eliminates the need for window replacement, saving valuable resources and reducing waste. In addition, intelligent shading systems can synchronize with the sun’s position and maximize energy efficiency while minimizing glare and heat discomfort.
Improve Indoor Air Quality
Window shades act as an insulating barrier that helps to regulate indoor temperature. In winter, this helps prevent heat loss from windows and reduces the workload on heating systems. In summer, this keeps the building relaxed and comfortable without using excessive cooling energy. Opening the windows allows for natural ventilation, which allows clean, fresh air from outside to enter the house. This helps lessen indoor pollutants like paint and cleaning products’ volatile organic compounds. They also influence indoor humidity levels. Shades that are automatically controlled can open and close according to preprogrammed schedules, reducing the need for manual operation and minimizing wear and tear. They can even operate according to the sun’s movement throughout the day.
Reduce Energy Consumption
With the construction sector responsible for a significant portion of energy consumption, designing buildings that maximize their energy performance is essential. While incorporating window shading devices requires an upfront investment, it will pay for itself through reduced energy bills in the long term. Automated shades can help reduce power consumption in residential and commercial spaces by allowing natural daylight to enter the building. This will lower cooling costs during summer and heating expenses during winter, saving owners money on utility bills all year round. Window treatments also enhance the insulation of the building, making it more energy-efficient. Additionally, automated shade systems can seamlessly integrate with smart home systems and be controlled via various interfaces such as keypads, IR remote controls, or wireless tabletop systems.
Reduce Solar Heat Gain
Unlike internal shading devices like curtains, blinds, or Venetian blinds, external window shading systems can reduce solar heat gain before it enters a space. This helps to minimize peak energy demand, as well as overheating risks in residential buildings. Moreover, exterior shading systems reflect any beam radiation that passes through the glazing to the outside, where it is radiated as long-wave thermal energy and not absorbed into the building. This dramatically decreases the amount of solar heat gain compared to a window without an external shade system. This is due to the high solar reflectance of the fabric used for the exterior shading.
