Reflecting summer heat/light

Lightmeup · #1 03-04-2006, 08:05 AM

I moved to a new place last summer. It's got the typical double hung storm windows that slide up/down and are about 4' H X 2' W. Each window has miniblinds also. Well, the windows with the southern and western exposure really take a beating from the sun and my A/C bills were very high. So, I'm thinking about ways to cut down the direct heat from the sun during the day. I've got some of that window film that is supposed to reflect the U/V and some of the heat away.

I'm thinking about making some mats out of cardboard that will fit in the top part of the window unit and completely cover the exposed glass. I'm thinking of making the outer side white or covering it with aluminum foil? Which would work better? This should block/reflect the sunlight pretty well. Then I was going to cut the window film to size, and hang it over the face of the lower part of the window. This would allow some daylight through if I wanted to open the blinds. Do you think this scheme will work? I'm wondering if the heat will be reflected outside, or accumulate in the space between the filter/shades and the glass of the window? Any advice? I don't really need to let much daylight into the room, it just makes it warmer.

TedTheLed · #2 03-04-2006, 09:22 AM

Liteme, it'll work!
The south wall of my house is glass, most of it tinted, lets about half the light through, the view looks almost the same as through the untinted, yet objects (on my desk) in the tinted sunlight all day long don't get warm (or hot!) as they do in the untinted glass sunlight..

Blocking the sun will do the trick. Aluminum foil will work better than plain cardboard, Im pretty sure..

What color are the miniblinds? maybe you could paint (one side of?) them to make them reflect better..?

greenLED · #3 03-04-2006, 11:35 AM

install an awning?
I experimented last summer with laying a "space blanket" in front of the window - it worked a little, but the walls heat up as well and they keep radiating heat inwards (my home's not all that well insulated)

Lightmeup · #4 03-04-2006, 01:38 PM

I'm renting, so awnings are not an option.