If you have been considering privacy screens because they lower visibility into your home, you might not know about one of the other major benefits of privacy screens: They help lower your utility bills!
Windows can be a major source of heat gain in the summer and heat loss in the winter, which takes a toll on your cooling and heating bills. In fact, the U.S. Department of Energy asserts that windows account for 25 percent of heating and cooling costs in older homes. And even in new homes with more energy efficient windows, windows still allow for heat exchange year round. Privacy screens help to cut that heat exchange by creating an extra layer of protection over your windows.
About privacy screens
Privacy screens cover your windows on the outside of your home, which is the recommended placement for mesh screens when it comes to reducing home energy costs. The screens’ mesh is made from a tightly woven polyester yarn that has been coated in PVC. Because of their thick yarns and dense weave, privacy screens reduce visibility into your home while maintaining your view.
Keeping your home cooler in the summer
The dense fibers and weave on privacy screens also reduce the sun’s UV rays and heat from entering your home. Privacy screens block 80 to 90 percent of the sun’s heat, and on a hot summer day, that can mean lowering the temperature in your home by as much as 15 degrees! The screens both absorb the sun’s heat and dissipate it away from your home and provide shade for your windows and your home. And unlike window blinds or sun-blocking drapes, they do this while still allowing light into your home and while still allowing you to look out.
Keeping your home warmer in winter
Privacy screens help with your energy bills in winter, too! While the amount of heat deflected on cold winter days is negligible when it comes to heating your home, privacy screens can add an insulating layer to your windows. Many homeowners feel tempted to take privacy screens down during cold-weather months, but the screens can actually prevent your home’s heat from escaping out your windows. They also add an extra layer of protection for your windows against bitterly cold temperatures.
Choosing your privacy screens
At A to Z Window Screens, privacy screens come in a variety of colors and designs! A to Z Window Screens offers privacy screens in a variety of colors to complement your home, and we offer decorate screen grids to enhance your home’s aesthetic. Because A to Z Window Screens custom makes every privacy screen, our privacy screens can be made to fit any window, including arched and circular windows!
If you are considering installing privacy screens to increase your home’s security while lowering your home energy bills, call A to Z Window Screens to schedule an in-home consultation today!