Adding on a sunroom is a great way to give yourself some extra living space, a place to relax and enjoy a little nature from the comfort of your home. Still, a sunroom is a home addition, and home additions can put an extra strain on your energy bills. This is why it’s so important to make the right decisions during the design process. If your sunroom has already been built, don’t worry; there are ways to retrofit it for better energy efficiency.
In this post, indoor air quality testing experts from Building Performance Professionals discuss six ways you can improve the energy efficiency of your sunroom.
Weatherstripping – Sunrooms have a lot of windows and glass in them, making them susceptible to air leaks. Fortunately, you can easily get around this dilemma by weatherstripping the frames with clear caulk.
Tints – Tinting the sunroom can reduce the amount of sunlight that enters it. Tints minimize glare and help reduce furniture fading due to exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun. If you decide to tint your sunroom, choose a Low-E radiant blocker to prevent solar energy from entering the room in the summer and escaping in the winter.
Ceiling Fans – To help cool your sunroom when it’s hot, consider adding a ceiling fan, which can also be used in winter if you change the directiom the blades turn to help circulate warm air in the room.
ENERGY STAR® Windows – Whether you’re choosing windows for your new sunroom or getting a window replacement, it’s always best to choose an ENERGY STAR window for maximum efficiency. ENERGY STAR windows have the lowest U-Factor and SHGC, which gives them the energy efficiency features you need for your sunroom.
Insulation – On the other hand, if you’re building a sunroom from the ground up, incorporate a design that’s easy to insulate. When adding insulation, it’s best to work with an experienced contractor who knows the appropriate insulation type to use.
HVAC System – If you decide to use the sunroom all year long, you may want to connect it to the HVAC system of the main house for on-demand heating and cooling.
Turn to BPP for your home improvement needs. We’re your number one provider of energy-efficient air conditioning and home air quality testing services. Give us a call at (925) 495-0054 or fill out our contact form to request a quote.