Do you want to prevent premature skin aging? You’ll need to protect your house from indoor UV (ultraviolet) exposure. There are two types of UV rays that affect your skin: UVA and UVB. While most of the UVB rays — which cause sunburn — are blocked by your ordinary windows, UVA infiltrates your home relatively easily. UVA exposure causes skin wrinkles.
But it’s not just your skin that’s affected by UV rays. After years of exposure to UV radiation, furniture and flooring can look worn and faded. Fortunately, there are several solutions you can utilize to protect your house from UV rays.
Rearrange Furniture
Indoor UVA intensity reduces as you move farther away from your window. Rearrange sitting and recreation areas so that they’re not too close to windows. If your home has large windows, try avoiding spending much time near them. These steps will help reduce your exposure to indoor UV rays to acceptably low levels.
Use Shades
If the place where you spend significant time receives a lot of sunlight, consider using window shades. Look for options that offer high UV protection. You could also select a custom opacity that tells you the amount of UV light entering your home. A lower opacity indicates more sunlight (and UV rays) blocked.
Cover Furniture and Floors
Moving furniture to shadier spots helps protect them from fading. But it may not always be possible for you to move furniture or keep shades closed during the day. You may have a pet who loves looking outside or indoor plants that require constant sun. You could cover your furniture with UV-protection slipcovers and the sunny spots on your floor with rugs.
Install Low-E Glass Windows
You can replace your clear glass windows with Low-E (low-emissivity) windows. They’re coated with tiny metallic oxide layers that provide UV protection.
The amount of UV rays reaching the Earth has been rising, so it’s a good idea to protect yourself and your property from indoor exposure. For help with any home-comfort issues in the Lorain area, contact Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning.
Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning
1 (440) 246-5440
Serving the Lorain, OH Area