Beating the Summer Heat: Solutions for Hot Air and Sunlight Streaming Through Windows

In markets with extreme summer temperatures like Phoenix and Tucson, windows that let in too much heat can make your home unbearable. Whether it’s hot air leaking in through drafts or intense solar heat streaming through the glass, poorly insulated windows will cause your air conditioning to work overtime.

In fact, inefficient windows can affect your energy bills by up to 40%, and the intense UV rays can cause your furniture, rugs, and art to severely fade. Here is how you can stop the heat transfer, from simple DIY fixes to professional glass upgrades.

Step 1: DIY Fixes for Hot Air Drafts Around Windows and Doors

Just like in the winter, gaps around your window and door frames allow the outside elements in. In the summer, this means hot, dusty, dry air entering your home.

• Seal the Gaps: Use the flickering flame test (holding a lighter near the edges of the window) to identify where hot air is entering.
• Caulk and Weather Stripping: Replacing cracked weather stripping and peeling caulk are highly affordable DIY repairs—often costing just a few dollars—that immediately stop hot drafts.
• Blocking Sunlight: To quickly mitigate direct sunlight, homeowners can install blackout curtains, thermal shades, or UV-blocking window films to temporarily reduce solar heat gain.

Step 2: Professional Solutions for Extreme Heat

When the desert sun is beating down on your house, DIY weather stripping isn’t going to stop the radiant heat transferring directly through the glass. For permanent relief in Phoenix and Tucson, professional upgrades are necessary.

1. Ditch the Single Pane Windows – If you have flimsy, old single-pane windows, they are doing virtually nothing to block the summer heat. Upgrading to dual- or triple-pane windows creates an insulated barrier between the scorching outside temperatures and your air-conditioned interior, keeping you significantly more comfortable.

2. The Power of Low-E Glass – If there is one upgrade you need for extreme summer heat, it is Low-E (Low Emissivity) glass. This glass is manufactured with a special coating that reflects infrared light. During the summer, Low-E glass drastically reduces the amount of direct heat that enters through the window. By reducing this solar heat gain, your cooling costs decrease, and your furniture and art are protected from fading.

3. Argon Gas Insulation – For maximum protection against the heat, dual- and triple-pane windows can be filled with an inert gas like Argon. Because Argon is denser and has a lower heat capacity than regular air, it severely limits the amount of heat that can travel from the hot exterior pane to the interior pane.

4. Sun Screens – Replace your regular window screens with units designed specifically to reduce heat transfer. In addition to blocking heat, sun screens also reduce glare and harmful rays from the sun. Another benefit of sun screens is privacy. These screens reduce visibility from anyone seeing inside your home during the day. You can choose from several different colors for the frame and mesh.

Why Choose True View in Phoenix and Tucson?

Don’t let the Arizona or Colorado sun dictate your comfort. True View Windows and Glass has served the Phoenix, Tucson and Denver areas for decades, offering windows optimized specifically for the local climate. Whether you need a cost-effective reglaze to replace a failed dual-pane window or a full upgrade to Low-E, Argon-filled windows, True View provides free, no-obligation consultations to find the right fit for your budget.