Steps to Improve Energy Efficiency of Sunroom
Thinking of getting a sunroom installed and also wanting to make sure it does not skyrocket the energy bills? Follow the steps to improve the efficiency of the sunroom and use it as much as you like. If up until you were not using the sunroom to its full potential, you can do it now because, in this blog, you will get to know the steps to improve the efficiency of a sunroom.
Add Sunroom Retrofits to Save Energy
It is not uncommon for a sunroom to get ice cold during winters and intolerably hot during summers. But we have found an easy solution to fix this.
The glass used in the sunroom forms one of the biggest factors that affect its temperature as well as your comfort.
It is quite possible that in older sunrooms, the glass might be too thin to effectively moderate the temperature inside the sunroom. Also, the frame around the glass might also leak. Plus, based on the design and the structure of sunroom, there might not be enough insulation to keep the air inside while the external air stays outside.
If you are short of replacing the glass, here’s what you can do to enhance the energy efficiency of the space.
Seal Up Leaks (If Any) in the Frames
To seal leaks, use a clear caulk. It will add weatherstripping around the frames and will also prevent air from leaking from the sunroom.
Tint the Windows
Tinting will reduce the intensity of sunlight, lessen the glaze, and will help in blocking the sun’s UV rays which can fade the colour of furniture. There are different tints available which also prevent excessive sunlight entering the room. Other than this, you can also choose low-e radiant blocker that will prevent solar energy from entering the sunroom. It will also keep the radiant energy from escaping during winters.
Cover the Sunroom Windows
During winters, use an inexpensive weatherization kit — mostly available at the hardware stores. It adds a layer or two of plastic film on the windows. All you need to do is just install it before the cold weather hits and remove it when spring comes. You can use and throw the cover as per your requirements. If you do not find it really useful, go for another alternative and that is to hang insulating curtains or drapes over the windows of the sunroom. During winters, you can keep the windows open in the day and enjoy sunlight. Close them in the evening to keep the cold air out and enjoy the space. You can also hang reflective shades to prevent excess sunlight from entering the sunroom in summer.
Place a Ceiling Fan
The fan will cool down the sunroom in summer. If you are building a new sunroom, here’s what you can do to make it energy efficient. Place the fan in an area that is shaded in the summer but still allows the sun in winter. Apart from choosing the spot where you can actually have a room for a sunroom, you would want a location that gets some sunlight. The perfect location would be the one that can be shaded easily during summer but also takes full advantage of the solar rays in winter.
Maximize Insulation
If you are building a sunroom from scratch, choose a design that can be insulated like the one with an actual ceiling and a roof than going for floor-to-ceiling glass panels.
Work with an experienced sunroom building contractor in Vancouver to know about the quality, type, and insulation level. Contact experts at the Strong Build Sunrooms, Vancouver.
Insulate the space above the ceiling and the space below the floor. If possible, let it be in between the glass panes, if the design permits.
Cooling and Heating
If you want to use your sunroom throughout the year, you might have to connect your sunroom to your home’s heating and cooling system. Or you might have to install a heating or air conditioning system.
Once you make all the arrangements for your sunroom, make sure you enjoy it. Relax, entertain, and read. You can even use the sunroom as a mini greenhouse to begin seedling for your garden. Cultivate plants that you can also move to other parts of the home or you can even grow herbs and sprouts. So, having a sunroom means you will have a lot of opportunities to use it in myriad ways.
If you have a sunroom and you want to use it in an energy-efficient manner, follow the above-given steps. Or for any guidance, you can also contact Strong Build Sunrooms, Vancouver.
