Air Conditioning vs External Blinds – Which Is Better?

Overheating can be a real problem for some houses and offices with just five degrees difference in making an environment sweltering or comfortable for occupants.

In the UK, building regulations called Part O were introduced in 2023 to make sure overheating was taken into consideration when building new homes and offices.

Two of the most popular options to reduce overheating are installing air conditioning or external blinds. We look at the pros and cons of each.

How Much Do External Blinds & AC Cost?

It can be more expensive to install an air conditioning system than external blinds which are not only easier to put up but less disruptive to retrofit. But installation costs can vary depending on the type of air conditioning you choose to install, the number of vents or units, and the number of windows you intend to install blinds over.

You won’t need regular maintenance with external blinds except for occasional servicing or repairs.

Running costs for external blinds are very low compared to air conditioning units which are well known money guzzlers in terms of their energy use, making budgeting tricky in times of energy market turmoil. For example, a single air conditioning unit could double your energy usage and therefore your electricity bill when in use.

Ongoing maintenance can be costly too as air conditioning units will need to be serviced at least once a year and their filters cleaned at least every two months to stop them becoming clogged with dust.

Another factor to take into consideration is that installation of air conditioning units can be very disruptive to the home or office.

A Cooler and Environmentally Home?

Air conditioning can be a great solution in hot climates because it’s a reliable way to cool your home or office immediately.

In the same way, it will keep indoor spaces comfortable 24 hours a day by managing temperature and humidity. The unit can even remove dust and allergens, which helps occupants who suffer from allergies.

In addition, air conditioning can make a property more attractive to potential clients and increase its value, especially in a hot climate.

Despite these positives, air conditioning can be annoying in terms of the noise pollution generated by the unit.

But, most importantly, they only deal with the effects of overheating, not its cause.

External Blinds Tackle The Cause of Overheating

External blinds will stop your home or office becoming overheated in the first place so there is no need to install an expensive air conditioning unit, especially in more temperate countries like the UK.

They work by reflecting heat away from the window before it enters, reducing indoor temperatures by as much as five degrees.

The heat-reflecting fabric we use on our blinds is made with a special open weave which stops harmful rays coming into a building but still allows plenty of light in and means occupants can still see the world outside.

External blinds allow you to open the windows so you can allow fresh air to move around the building freely, creating a more natural environment unlike air conditioning units which only function effectively with the windows closed.

Not only do our beautiful external blinds add to the aesthetic of a home or building, but they also provide privacy.

A Greener Home?

Air conditioning units won’t help you on your journey to sustainability because of the huge amount of energy they consume. External blinds, on the other hand, use a minimal amount of energy to raise and lower them.

Worldwide air conditioning units contribute to ten per cent of electricity consumption and almost four per cent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions.

So, choosing air conditioning will obviously increase your carbon footprint massively at a time when we are being asked to reduce our energy consumption.

Some refrigerants and Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) used in air conditioning units can also pollute the atmosphere and destroy the ozone.

Best Choice for Your Needs

Which one you opt for will depend on several factors including efficiency, sustainability, maintenance, aesthetics and your personal preference.

External blinds are a much more sustainable and cost-effective option, but if you want a guaranteed constant temperature, low humidity and can budget for ongoing maintenance, air conditioning may suit your needs better.

Talk to our team of experts to find the best solution for you.