{"id":1112,"date":"2013-06-17T20:34:46","date_gmt":"2013-06-18T00:34:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ugagreenway.wordpress.com\/?p=1112"},"modified":"2023-01-03T15:29:13","modified_gmt":"2023-01-03T20:29:13","slug":"the-energy-saving-windows-of-catalonia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/greenway\/2013\/06\/17\/the-energy-saving-windows-of-catalonia\/","title":{"rendered":"The Energy Saving Windows of Catalonia"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Catalonia is an autonomous region within Spain that is home to the beautiful cities of Barcelona and Tarragona.  As I walked around these cities, I was fascinated by the windows and the coverings over them that help keep the sun out.  It is an old idea, but one that is obviously still used. I saw all types of window coverings, from blinds to shutters to awnings to curtains.  They were on both new and old houses and apartments.   I have noticed these types of window coverings throughout many parts of Europe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the U.S. we are less likely to have outdoor curtains, blinds or shutters to reduce heat gain. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, adding a window awning can reduce solar heat gain in the summer by up to 65% on south-facing windows and 77% on west-facing windows. No money for an awning?  That’s okay, learn from others and simply add a curtain or a roll-down shade on your west-facing windows.  You will block enough sun to help reduce your air conditioning bill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are some of the window coverings I saw in Tarragona and Barcelona. \u00a0Do any of the photos inspire you to add a window covering?<\/p>\n\n\n\n