Awnings: a simple cooling tech we apparently forgot about

A note on sun angles throughout the year: I included (then removed) a section in the script where I explained how the correct overhang on a South-facing window will completely block the sun in the summer when the sun is high in the sky, but will let sunlight pass in the winter when the sun is low in the sky. A remnant of that lived on when I discussed those really fancy home design techniques. The reason I decided to remove it was that there are plenty of places on Earth where this is irrelevant! If you live where heating your home is rarely if ever a concern, then that sort of selective blocking wouldn’t be important to you. You’ll want to block the sun all the time! And in any case, since adjustable awnings are a thing, a discussion on ideal overhang angles felt too weedsy. But, since a few remnants of that discussion remain, I wanted to leave this explanation so you’re not confused.

In temperate climates, planting deciduous trees on the sunward side of a house shades it in the summer and lets the sun in during the winter. Genius.

If you've ever lived in a house that had awnings and then had them removed, you learn quickly why they were installed in the first place.

An architect here. The weather in North Africa gets really hot in the summer (more than 40 degrees Celsius or 104 F) and most of my clients request these automatic aluminium shutters which are quite ugly and make all the windows look like mini- garages, but they do a great job in reflecting most of the heat and direct sunlight. The issue that it's either you solely rely on artificial light or just turn the house into a glorified greenhouse. What most contemporary architects do is actually look back at how traditional houses were built because they were excellent at utilizing materials and shade to naturally cool down houses by A LOT. One of the techniques used is that the awning is actually part of the building, where the window seems like it is indented in the wall (which is either built thick 50cm or almost 20 inches or it is a double wall with air between them that act as an insulator. ) or carved in and almost no direct sunlight reaches it unless it's late afternoon and by then it isn't that hot. the thick walls also help a great deal with not letting the heat reach the internal walls. Some old houses have horizontal wooden slanted louvres called "Shish" and that blocks the sun without blocking airflow and it is surprisingly effective. Another technique which is genius is the use of windcatchers, where a chimney-esque structure is built but facing the wind (Which is NW where i live) and that "catches" the cool breeze. Cold air is heavier so it descends until it is heated back up again and escapes through other openings that are high near the ceiling creating a cross-ventilation system and you have natural cooling all day long. some old lavish houses in Old Cairo even have a dedicated livingroom with a water fountain right under the windcatcher to introduce humidity to the dry desert wind and make it even more pleasant and cooling. It baffles me how these are solutions that are tried and true, much cheaper than AC, more aesthetically pleasing and more environmentally friendly, yet everyone opts for AC that just dumps more heat making outdoor spaces unbearable in the summer.

Michigan just prohibited HOAs from banning "Energy-saving improvement or modifications.” It doesn't specifically mention awnings, but I think it would be easy to argue they count. Here is what it says: “Energy-saving improvement or modification” includes, but is not limited to, all of the following: (i) A clothesline. (ii) Air source heat pumps. (iii) Ground source heat pumps. (iv) Insulation. (v) Rain barrels. (vi) Reflective roofing. (vii) Energy efficient appliances. (viii) Solar water heaters. (ix) Electric vehicle supply equipment. (x) Energy-efficient windows. (xi) Energy-efficient insulation materials.

Any technology channel can make a video on a new $1000 smartphone, only a master of the art can make a 20 minute video on awnings.

The cut back to Alec with a tie on was hilarious.

Hey there! I work as a blueprint designer for a fabric production business that primarily works in awnings, both metal and fabric! I think a large part of awnings fading away in residential appliances that wasn't discussed was the tightening of government restrictions and building codes. Back in yesteryear, there weren't a lot of solid, universal restrictions and standards, so awnings could be designed and installed inexpensively by relatively cheap labor. However, things have changed, and now building codes, permits, and licenses muddy the water. Awning frames have to be thicker, especially for climates with harsher weather, the fabrics have become heavier and higher quality, engineers have to be consulted to determine structural integrity not just for the awning but also for the building its attached to. All of this red tape and regulation, while it is a good thing, has drastically risen the prices of awnings, especially when you consider that the cover may need to be changed in less than a decade. The frame does make up most of the cost, so a recover is considerably expensive, but if you're using a luxury, decorative fabric or a vinyl covering, a recover could still cost thousands of dollars. Anyways, all this to say tha4 thankfully, not all awnings are fading away. The company i (admittedly just started to) work for has expanded a good deal lately, and we still gave more work than we know what to do with.

Since you mentioned us Europeans, I have to mention that awnings are still quite a bit popular, at least for the warmer climates. Greek roads are literally characterized by the unimaginably dull look of (cheap but very effective) canvas awnings littered on every building. This video actually kind of surprised me; I had no idea that they were so uncommon elsewhere, especially when they do their job so effectively!

0:35 “i’m not here to sell you anything” And now it dawns on me that this guy had never run an ad in any of the days of videos that I have watched… Thank you! You’re awesome 😊

Hey Alec, a european here! Yes, our roller shutters do get hot during summer. However, some of these shutters can actually function like awnings! You can push the lower metal frame out around 50cm to not have the shutters right in front of the window. Keep in mind that my windows are old as communist Hungary and it has this feature.

I'd like to personally thank you for using the proper term "champing at the bit" instead of "chomping"

15:16 "It's not like awnings don't come with any drawbacks..." Indeed. Many awnings can be drawn back during the winter months to let more heat energy in, and let you enjoy the sight of a beautiful winter day.

4:10 props to Alec, a well dressed man, for wearing a necktie to avoid being compared to a beautiful home which is devoid of awnings

High winds were one issue that was ignored. a major factor in the fact that my childhood home never had them installed. Fantastic video!

I live in Oklahoma. My home was built by its occupant in 1962. The south exposure has a porch. The west exposure has awnings and a pair of large pecan trees. I’m so blessed.

I have to say, I'm in awe of the cooling power of awnings

When we took down an old and ailing tree we quickly learned how much shade it had been providing. We added a covered deep porch across the entire southern face of our house; it provides more shade than the old tree did and the house is cool on the hottest days we are currently experiencing.

Funny to notice that here in Italy basically every house, condo, or villa is equipped with awnings, typically retractable ones. You're so encouraged to install them that if you buy certified sun blocking awnings, you get a tax refund.

As an HVAC guy thats currently building a new house, we have awnings figured into the equation already. We only have two south facing windows and one west window.the house was purposely laid out on the lot to factor in solar gain on the structure. The south awnings will be designed based on the suns angle when heating starts to be needed but will be covered during the hot summer and high sun position. The west window will have some sort of exterior shutter to clos off after about noon. I was of the same opinion that the best way to deal with solar gain was to simply eliminate it before it ever entered the structure.