Summer is right around the corner. Though some parts of the nation are still dealing with snow storms and freezing temperatures, it already feels like summer in beautiful Central Florida. While this is excellent news for most of us who love the sunshine and warmth, it does come with a cost: higher A/C bills. And, they only go up as summer goes on. Your air conditioner might not be able to keep your house at a comfortable temperature for a few months. Is there anything you can do?

New air conditioning units can cost thousands of dollars, and so can re-insulating your house. Fortunately, there is a much cheaper option that can work wonders — a new awning.

Awnings Reduce Interior Heat

Can an awning really have that much of an effect on cooling your home? It seems too simple, but just how effective an awning can be might shock you. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that windows lose about 30 percent of the energy output from A/C units — hurting efficiency. Maybe even more worrying, 76 percent of sunlight that strikes windows gets transferred into heat inside your home. Anyone who has sat next to a window on a hot Florida day has experienced this fact firsthand.

Awnings Can Save You Money

That’s when an awning could save you significant money on your energy bill and keep your house cooler. Studies have shown that an awning installed on a south-facing window could reduce heat gained by the interior of the home by 65 percent, and those on west-facing windows by 77 percent. And, they keep the interior areas around the window shady and cool as well. This allows your air conditioner to do its job without putting to much stress on it, extending its life in the process. All of this can add up to a 20 percent reduction in your energy bill over the summer months.

Cool Custom Awning Designs

Are you frustrated with the efficiency of your air conditioner? Do you feel like it’s always a couple of degrees too hot in your house? Contact us at Universal Awning & Sign to see how we can help you. We have several different types of awnings, so you can be sure to find something to match the style of your home. And, we can also custom-build a new awning if you have something special in mind. Contact us today to learn more!