How does external shading affect energy efficiency?

Modern homes are increasingly using external shading as part of their overall energy efficiency, using it to control how much daylight and solar heat come into a space to influence energy consumption and comfort.

Thermal Comfort

We all want a dwelling that is comfortable and has plenty of natural light. But with global warming leading to higher temperatures, many people are looking at putting up external shading to prevent overheating and keep a constant temperature.

External shading can be achieved in many different ways, including awnings, canopies and pergolas, venetian blinds and louvres. The benefits in terms of energy efficiency are maintaining heat in winter and reducing cooling demand during the hot summer months.

The best external shading still allows plenty of natural light to enter the building. There has been a recent trend for brise soleil systems, which are modern architectural features that use vertical or horizontal blades as a way of controlling how much direct sunlight comes into a building to prevent overheating and glare. There is a real need for this type of external shading to be allowed under permitted development due to more heatwaves in the UK.

Bring in the Light

A brise soleil system, like the ones installed by specialists such as //alusystems.uk/brise-soleil-solar-shading/, is also a good way to reduce energy use through lighting, as it allows better light levels, even in winter.

This, along with stable temperature control, helps to create an optimal living space. It also helps extend the life of heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, as they don’t need to work as hard at turning on and off.

More Effective

External shading is more effective at preventing heat gain as the sunlight is blocked before it enters a building, and it is not left trapped indoors. As solar radiation doesn’t always transmit through glazing, it also stops the glass from heating up.

The right external shading creates an enhanced indoor environment and improves energy efficiency, giving homes a better energy rating. This is good not just for the planet, but for house prices too.