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HOME SEPTEMBER 2018 4 By James Dulley Dear Jim: We need to block the intense heat from coming through my win- dows and door glass. We want to install awnings, but are not sure what is the proper size or material to get. What do you recom- mend? — Suzi K. Dear Suzi: The sun shin- ing in through windows and doors can quickly overheat a room. This is the same basic greenhouse effect which is warming the Earth. The sun's short- wave-length heat energy easily passes through glass into your house. Once in there, it becomes long-wave- length energy. Glass is rela- tively opaque to this, so it stays trapped indoors. Closing curtains and drapes can help trap the sun's heat near the window, but it has already gotten indoors through the glass. In contrast, awnings block the sun's direct rays before entering your house so they are more effective for reduc- ing air-conditioning cost. Studies have shown awnings can reduce cooling needs by 24 percent in Boston, 21 percent in Phoenix and 17 percent in St. Louis. From an energy-saving standpoint, the size of the awning is more important than the material. It should shade your window or door from the direct sun's rays, especially mid-afternoon when it is hottest. Even though the sun is most intense and direct around noon, it is very high in the sky, so just the roof over- hang is often enough to shade windows. If you remember your high school trigonometry, it is possible to calculate the size (projection from the wall) of a fixed awning need- ed for shading windows and doors. The size depends upon the latitude of your area. As your location is far- ther north, the sun is lower in the sky so a larger awning is needed. If you are not a math whiz, just make a test awning from cardboard to determine the proper size for a fixed awning. Fixed, hood-type awnings with sides are a good choice because they increase the shading period throughout the day. An adjustable awning is often the best choice because its projection can be changed with the seasons of the year and actually throughout the day if need- ed. Keep in mind you proba- bly want the sun to shine in the window during winter for free solar heating. The awning can be adjusted high enough to allow the sun rays in yet still provide protec- tion from rain. The two most common materials used for awnings are aluminum and cloth fab- ric. Aluminum awnings are extremely durable and, unless they are damaged from an impact, can last a lifetime. Fabric awnings are generally more attractive and offer more design, color and styling flexibility. Another advantage of fabric awnings is the adjustable ones can be low- ered almost flat against the window. This provides protection from harsh weather and driving rains. Adjustable aluminum awn- ings typically cannot be low- ered as far, but their strength provides excellent protection. The following companies offer window awnings: Awntech, 800-200-5997, www. awntech.com; Craft-Bilt, 800- 422-8577, www.craftbilt. com; K. E. Durasol Awn-ings, 888- 387-2765, www.keoutdoorde- sign.us; Eastern Awning, 800-445-4142, www.easter- nawning.com; and General Awnings, 888-768-8404, www.generalawn ings.com. Dear Jim: I have always heard that you should keep a refrigerator and freezer reasonably full to make it operate most efficiently. How do I determine what "reasonably full" means? — Jack H. Dear Jack: Reasonably full means having the shelves of the refrigerator portion almost completely covered with a typical array of various-size containers, bottles and cans. It is impor- tant to allow space for air to circulate freely around inside the refrigerator portion. Although the freezer por- tion also needs some air flow through it, you can pack more frozen foods in tighter. Keeping it full also helps keep the freezer portion cold if there is an extended power outage. (Send inquiries to James Dulley, The Freeman, 6906 Royalgreen Drive, Cincin- nati, OH 45244 or visit www.dulley.com.) Size matters more than material when it comes to energy-efficient awnings Aristocrat® Awnings by Craft-Bilt These fabric window awnings can be retracted up against the wall to expose the window glass when more light is needed indoors. Awntech This contemporary style awning uses durable acrylic fabric to block the sun's heat. Aristocrat® Awnings by Craft-Bilt These awnings are custom made to perfectly fit the various size and style windows. Aristocrat® Awnings by Craft-Bilt Fabric awnings with sides block sun from the windows throughout the entire day. Notice how it also shades the window air conditioner for greater efficiency.

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