How a retractable awning can cut your energy bill by 77%

Every summer, when the temperatures rise, the air conditioning kicks in, and a few weeks later, the Hydro-Québec bill is often higher than we’d hoped. We turn down the thermostat, close the curtains, and try to minimize consumption. But meanwhile, the sun keeps beating down on the windows, heating up the walls, and turning certain rooms into ovens. The truth is that most people are tackling the problem from the wrong angle. Rather than trying to cool the interior once the heat has already gotten in, there’s a far more effective approach: Preventing the heat from getting in. And that’s where the retractable awning makes all the difference.

Why Your Home Gets Too Hot?

Excessive heat in a home comes largely from solar radiation passing through glass surfaces. Windows, doors, skylight, all these openings that bring in light and views are also prime entry points for solar heat. In the summer, a single large window exposed to the sun can generate as much heat as a small electric heater running continuously. Multiply that by several windows, and you’ll quickly understand why your air conditioner is running at full blast without ever really winning the battle.

And it’s not just a matter of comfort. It’s a matter of money. Air conditioning accounts for a significant portion of residential electricity consumption in the summer. Every additional degree inside forces the system to work harder, consume more energy, and wear out faster. Not to mention furniture and floors that gradually fade under the effects of UV rays, damage that’s invisible on a day-to-day basis but very real in the long run.

The classic mistake: Cooling the inside instead of keeping the heat out

The instinctive reaction to heat is to turn down the thermostat. And that’s understandable, it’s the most immediate and obvious solution. But from an energy efficiency standpoint, it’s also the least effective. Why? Because you’re trying to compensate for a problem rather than eliminating it at the source.

Curtains and interior screens, no matter how thick they are, don’t really solve the problem either. The sun first passes through the glass, heats the space between the window and the curtain, and that heat inevitably spreads into the room. It’s a bit like placing a cold towel over a hot radiator: it slightly reduces the heat, but it doesn’t eliminate it. The real solution, the one architects and energy efficiency experts have been recommending for decades, is exterior solar shading. By intercepting the sun’s rays before they reach the windowpane, you prevent heat from building up inside.

The retractable awning: The most effective passive solution

A retractable awning properly positioned outside a window or glass facade acts as a thermal shield. It blocks solar radiation before it reaches the glass surface, thereby preventing heat from entering the home. The effect is immediate and measurable: the indoor temperature remains more stable, the air conditioner starts up less often and runs for shorter periods, and comfort in sun-exposed rooms is dramatically improved.

This isn’t just theory, it’s physics. And the numbers back it up: A high-quality retractable awning can significantly reduce solar heat gain through a glass facade, leading to a reduction in energy consumption for air conditioning of up to 77%. This is a concrete, verifiable figure that translates to hundreds of dollars in savings over the summer season, year after year.

Veratenda: Energy efficiency with a touch of elegance

Veratenda, the retractable awning, fits perfectly into this concept. Custom-designed to adapt to all types of facades: Balconies, patios, and terraces of all sizes, Veratenda combines thermal performance with contemporary design. Its high-quality acrylic fabric is designed to reflect up to 98% of UV rays while allowing natural light to pass through. In other words: your space remains bright, pleasant, and comfortable, without the oppressive heat that usually comes with it.

Maintaining Veratenda awning is easy. Regular dusting and occasional washing with water and soap will help keep your awning looking like new.  This is a major advantage for Quebec homeowners who are tired of the hassle of spring and fall preparations.  And for everyday use, you have two options: A manual crank or a built-in Somfy motor with a remote control for ultimate convenience. As an option, smartphone control via app lets you open or close the awning from anywhere.

The retractable awning Veratenda blends seamlessly with any architectural style thanks to its sleek, contemporary lines and design crafted to enhance your home’s aesthetic rather than simply add to it. It’s the kind of product that, once installed, seems as though it’s always been there, as if it were part of the original architecture.

An investment that pays for itself

People often think of energy-efficient upgrades in terms of insulation, triple-pane windows, or heat pumps. And these investments are worthwhile. But exterior retractable awnings are often overlooked in this equation, and wrongly so, because they are one of the most cost-effective upgrades a homeowner can make. They are affordable, quick to install, and their benefits are immediate and measurable starting the very first summer.

By reducing the strain on your air conditioning system, you also extend its lifespan, which translates to additional savings over the long term. And when it comes time to sell your home, a high-quality awning like the Veratenda is a real selling point: savvy buyers recognize the value of a well-equipped outdoor space and a home designed for energy efficiency. The 5-year warranty on the mechanism and 10-year warranty on the acrylic fabric confirm that this investment is built to last.

The heat that builds up in your home during the summer doesn’t have to be inevitable. It’s a problem with a simple, elegant, and cost-effective solution: blocking the sun’s rays before they enter. A high-quality retractable awning does exactly that, and  Veratenda the retractable awning by Ombrasole does it with a style that enhances your property while lowering your electricity. Stop paying to cool a home that you could simply prevent from overheating.