Solar shading can eliminate a building's need for cooling

According to the EU's Energy Efficiency Directive, energy efficiency should be treated as an independent energy source. This means, among other things, that energy efficiency solutions should be considered the primary option when making investment decisions. This principle is known as "Energy Efficiency First," meaning that we should first reduce our energy demand and then meet the remaining needs with sustainable energy sources.

Did you know that under the right conditions, solar shading can completely eliminate the need for cooling?

The Energy Efficiency First principle can be applied by prioritizing solar shading before cooling. This means that the window environment must be optimized in terms of heat loads before sizing, investing in, or using any type of cooling system. In all buildings that use cooling systems, solar shading that controls the inflow of sunlight reduces the energy required for cooling. Reduced or eliminated cooling needs provide direct savings both economically and in terms of energy consumption. This impact is often highly significant in public spaces and institutions.

Improving energy efficiency can quickly and easily have significant effects, both for individual families and for businesses, property owners, housing associations, and public institutions.