We spend half of the year fantasizing about it, but when summer finally arrives, most of us can’t handle the heat – and for good reason! With high UV readings, elevated humidity, and temperatures that soar into the high 30s, it can get downright muggy in Toronto. Many of us escape the heat for the relief of our homes where we can crank up our air conditioners.
Unfortunately, for anyone who’s done this before, you know that having your A/C blasting at all hours takes a huge chunk out of your savings. The energy you’re using isn’t just expensive; it’s also a major contributor to household CO2 emissions and ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs). Staying cool can come with a lot of guilt and financial pressure, but it doesn’t have to. Discover our temperature regulating shades this summer, and see how you can keep cool without your A/C.
Uncovered, you windows trap and absorb the heat from the sun, and if enough direct sunlight hits them they can increase the temperature in your home rapidly. It’s why your living room can feel like a greenhouse during the summer months. Scientists measure how well heat can pass through glass with what’s called the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC). Graded on a scale of 0 to 1, the highest coefficient means the sun can easily pass through the glass. You’ll know if your windows rate highly on the scale by how quickly the room heats up once the sun starts shining.
For those of us who are particularly sensitive to the heat, the temptation to jack up the A/C when this happens is almost irresistible. True, it will cool the air of your home, but it will do nothing to solve the root cause of your problem. When the sun is left to shine through your windows, your A/C will have to work extra hard to fight against the heat. On average, Toronto sees a UV value of 8 during the summer. Otherwise known as ‘very high’, this almost guarantees your window-plenty home will get hot.
A more efficient way to beat the heat is by targeting the main problem. By eliminating the transfer of the sun’s heat, you can cut down on your reliance on your A/C and save a few dollars. Our honeycomb shades have the highest efficiency rating possible, and their patented honeycomb shaped cells trap the heat from the sun and prevents it from increasing the temperature of your room. With our installation professionals, we can measure and attach them properly to create a complete cover over your windows, eliminating any chance of sun exposure while you have them down. All of our shades are easy to adjust, so you can have them up during cooler, low UV days and down when the heat is on.
If you’re ready to save some money on your next utility bill, give us a call. We can walk you through our energy efficient blinds so you can stay cool without blasting your A/C. As your energy conscious choice in the GTA, you’ll get no better help with selection, set-up, and installation.