TheSiege82 t1_iv6k71p wrote
Reply to comment by CSyoey in Researchers designed a transparent window coating that could lower the temperature inside buildings, without expending a single watt of energy. This cooler may lead to an annual energy saving of up to 86.3 MJ/m² or 24 kWh/m² in hot climates by mossadnik
What is the best option right now for a homeowner to reduce heat load coming from light while still maintaining as much visible light as possible? I have some huge windows that even in a utah winter have to be opened because the addition gets so hot. I’m the summer there are trees that help but the heat is pretty immense. My 3ton mini split can barely keep up and it’s only 600sqft or so.
windows it doesn’t help that they are pella casement windows from the mid 70s.
Draconicien t1_iv6p52z wrote
You can get double silver low-e coated high performance glass. It’s what they use in modern buildings. It’s designed to give maximum light transmission with minimal heat transmission
TheSiege82 t1_iv6yv96 wrote
Can that be applied after install like in my case
Lanemarq t1_iv73c4v wrote
It’s possible to have just the glass replaced with double paned, argon filled, low-e glass without ripping out the entire window. That said it’s a heavy YMMV. Depends on your specific windows and finding a company that will do it. As a general contractor I’ve got a window company that will do it, although they prefer not to and a glass company that don’t mind it.
You may have to call a few places, the big guys won’t do it, they’ll insist you have to replace the whole thing. The smaller mom and pop, or new start up company will be more hungry and willing.
There’s significant liability concerns on their part as the glass isn’t guaranteed to come out clean and you’ll have to know that going into it.
Replacing just the glass is less invasive for you as the home owner, but it may not go back together perfect, so be warned. There’s a lot of factors to weigh out and someone over the Internet won’t be able to answer what would be best or possible for you.
Draconicien t1_iv737xx wrote
No it cannot
Kaeny t1_iv6uske wrote
You need curtains or smth lol
space_monster t1_iv6wrce wrote
curtains don't do much. the glass itself heats up and radiates the heat into the room. you need something on the outside of the glass to bounce IR off it.
deevonimon534 t1_iv6z84j wrote
Outside curtains?
OldRub1158 t1_iv70s9v wrote
That's called shutters
ToxicTaxiTaker t1_iv79pkt wrote
You have no idea how many people don't realize that shutters weren't always purely decorative. In my region actual hinged shutters are a thing of the past, replaced by lame cheap plastic accent pieces that just screw onto the wall.
A good set of shutters with appropriate hardware could mean the world of difference in how your house performs in hot weather. They tend to blow off in heavy storms, but a stronger hinge and latch is all it takes to prevent that. I grew up with a set on my bedroom window, and it was awesome for night shifts too!
Kittenize t1_iv7ib22 wrote
Blinds like this actually reduced the heat in my house by a substitutial amount. They're installed on the inside
CHICOLOGY Cellular Shades , Window Blinds Cordless , Blinds for Windows , Window Shades for Home , Window Coverings , Cellular Blinds , Door Blinds , Morning Mist, 46"W X 48"H https://a.co/d/aMu1Qyx
Although we basically never look outside now but at least our AC bill is a bit lower
steve626 t1_iv7y4yz wrote
The glass reflects IR energy both ways. The windows are bouncing the heat back inside of the building too. Which is helpful in winter
TheSiege82 t1_iv6z0ol wrote
I have shade on the inside. But heat obviously gets in. And while I could do it on the outside that would be a logistical nightmare and eliminate a lot of visible light
Kaeny t1_iv7p2v7 wrote
Do blackout curtains not work?
TheSiege82 t1_iv83lyv wrote
I mean it would, but it’s the main room of the house. The main socializing area. So it’s not preferred
Goyteamsix t1_iv7f13s wrote
I have reflective film on mine. It made a drastic difference. It works like a weak one way mirror.
motogucci t1_iv74eyq wrote
There are already window films that come in rolls. Some are tinted, like aftermarket car tint, and some are reflective. They can make a significant difference.
It's difficult to achieve perfection on older windows, because there's probably grit stuck on the glass like cement, that's nearly invisible but could still try and cause bubbles.
But there's probably tips all over the internet if you look. I've used sewing needles to put a teeny hole that the trapped air can escape through when the film is squeegeed, with decent effect.
And overall, you'll have a much more pleasant, even temperature across the room. And the bills go down. Overall I think it's worth it, even though perfection was out of (my) reach.
CODEX_LVL5 t1_iv8p5sp wrote
Careful, these can wreck double paned windows. They increase heat beyond normal thresholds because the reflective coating is supposed to be on the exterior window, not the interior one
OkCarrot89 t1_iv7iqql wrote
Go on Amazon and buy some window film like the kind they're talking about in the article. That or buy some white thermal curtains to reflect the light away.
This is a very established and old issue that people have already made solutions to.
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