What Is the Best Way To Heat and Cool a Sunroom? Obstacles and Solutions
Their natural lighting and unique environment make sunrooms a favorite room in many homes.
The glass walls not only provide plenty of light, but if they’re not properly insulated, they can also leave you with intense heat in the summer or freezing temperatures in the winter.
But don’t worry, there are many ways to maintain a comfortable temperature in your sunroom.
In this article, we discuss the best ways to heat and cool your sunroom, ensuring a comfortable living space in any season.
Table of Contents
- Obstacles of Heating and Cooling a Sunroom
- Can a Sunroom Be Heated and Cooled?
- Ways To Add Extra Heat to a Sunroom During Winter
- Ways To Keep a Sunroom Cool in Summer
- Strategies That Work to Both Heat and Cool a Sunroom
- Trust the Team at AAA Heating and Cooling To Keep You Comfy in Your Sunroom All Year
Obstacles of Heating and Cooling a Sunroom
Keeping sunrooms at a comfortable temperature can be challenging. Why is it harder to keep the temperature regulated in a sunroom than the regular rooms in a home? The answer lies in the glass.
Glass causes heat to increase quickly when the sun is out. Due to its limited insulation, glass also allows cold air to infiltrate the home and heat to escape quickly. Because of this, it takes more planning to make sure this space stays at a comfortable temperature.
Can a Sunroom Be Heated and Cooled?
Yes, but it takes effort and money.
Depending on your climate and the setting of your home, it can be as easy as adding curtains, but in other situations, you may need to install temperature-controlled flooring or an HVAC system. Some simple ways to add temperature control to a sunroom are:
- Outdoor plants
- Outdoor shade
- Curtains
- Fans
- Tinted windows
2 Common HVAC Options for Heating and Cooling a Sunroom
If you don’t mind investing in your heating and cooling system, two common HVAC options can be installed that can greatly benefit your sunroom.
These can be wonderful options if you:
- Live in extremely hot or cold climates
- Need consistent cooling or heating
- Already have the ducts installed throughout your home and want to extend them into the sunroom
Central Heating and Air Conditioning
Central heating and air conditioning is a popular choice for those who want climate control in their sunrooms.
Depending on your current ductwork, you can expand it to make the temperature consistent in each room of your home. Additionally, you can have a separate thermostat for the sunroom to regulate the temperature separately. This work is costly, but many times is a great addition to both your sunroom and your home.
Ductless Mini Splits
Another option for regulating temperatures in a sunroom is adding ductless mini splits. Ductless mini splits are an alternative for those unable to add ducts or additional heating/cooling in their homes. They work similarly to heating/air conditioning systems but use an outdoor condenser and compressor along with an indoor air handling unit.
This system is great because it instantly adds the option to heat and cool your room without the added work. Ductless mini splits are an inexpensive and quick solution to your temperature control problem.
Looking to add central heating and air conditioning or ductless mini splits to your sunroom? Contact AAA Heating and Cooling today to speak to our team about the best options for your sunroom’s temperature control needs.
Ways To Add Extra Heat to a Sunroom During Winter
Radiant Flooring
Radiant flooring is a system of panels, coils, or tubing that is installed below your current flooring. This helps regulate the temperature in the sunroom rather than heating the entire home.
Radiant flooring may cost $20-35 per square foot, depending on the type of flooring it is being installed under. Once installed, it is very inexpensive to run, making it an affordable ongoing heating option. Radiant flooring can add resale value and save energy as well.
Wood Stove or Fireplace
Wood stoves or fireplaces are a great way to style and warm a sunroom. These can be built into the wall or placed in the room with ventilation. It is important to make sure the room is properly ventilated to prevent any safety issues surrounding fumes.
Ways To Keep a Sunroom Cool in Summer
Tinted Windows
Tinted windows are a great option to keep light and heat out of your sunroom. In addition to keeping heat out, they can:
- Add privacy
- Help with glare; and
- Lower energy costs
This is a good option for those who don’t want to block views or add curtains, but want privacy and temperature control.
Strategies That Work to Both Heat and Cool a Sunroom
Depending on your location and climate, it may make sense to invest in a strategy that can both cool and heat your sunroom. Below, we will address some of the best ways to heat and cool a sunroom and how you can implement them.
Turn on the Fan
Fans are an easy way to add movement and airflow in a sunroom without the extra costs. Installing a ceiling fan can easily help regulate the temperature of a sunroom and cool those inside, especially in the summer months. During the winter, ceiling fans can actually help you stay warmer and:
- Reduce condensation
- Lessen the workload of the furnace
- Extend the life of your furnace
- Help prevent drafts
- Decrease utility costs
You’ll want to be sure to change the direction of the fan in the summer vs. winter. The fan should rotate clockwise in fall/winter and counterclockwise in the spring/summer.
Dress Up the Windows
Blinds and curtains are great ways to add insulation to a sunroom. They can:
- Be budget-friendly.
- Keep the room cooler in the summer, when the sun is constantly hitting the glass.
- Act as insulation in the winter.
- Be customized to your style.
- Be easily opened and closed to adapt to the time of day. Keeping your curtains and blinds closed when you are not in the sunroom can keep the room cooler and save energy costs.
Insulate
If you are having trouble keeping the air warm or cool, consider adding more insulation. There are many ways to insulate your sunroom to keep it from absorbing too much heat or cold air, depending on the season. Some options are:
- Insulating the windows
- Using weather stripping
- Buying double-pane insulated windows
Use Portable Options
Many times, a faster or cheaper option to regulate the temperature of a sunroom is using portable heating or cooling units. The aesthetics and mobility of these units are a large draw for consumers. Some portable options include:
- Portable air conditioning units
- Wall-mounted air conditioning and heating units
- Fans
- Space heaters
The size and location of your room will determine the effectiveness and cost of heating and cooling your space. Many times, portable options such as air conditioning units aren’t as effective as an HVAC system would be.
One positive about portable options is that they tend to be more cost-effective. Using a portable air conditioner, for example, could cost $30-50 compared to $30-$270 for central AC.
Portable heating will generally be cheaper as well, costing around $48 a month vs. $105 for natural gas heating.
Vent for Circulation
To add circulation to your sunroom consider installing some additional vents. Installing them on the ceiling can help move warm air out during the summer. It is equally important to have good airflow in the winter months. Venting the room will help balance the temperature in the sunroom, as well as the whole home.
Extend the HVAC System
The most efficient and effective way to keep temperatures stable in a sunroom is to use central air and add a duct system. Of course, this will cost a little more, but pay off in the long run. Our team at AAA Heating and Cooling is up to the job of installing any HVAC needs, whether in the sunroom or throughout the home.
Trust the Team at AAA Heating and Cooling To Keep You Comfy in Your Sunroom All Year
AAA Heating and Cooling is a top-rated Portland HVAC Company. With over 60 years of experience, we support the HVAC needs of homes, retail spaces, and more.
We know the ins and outs of both the difficulty and value of adding an HVAC system to your sunroom. Our goal is to provide a seamless experience as we create a comfortable living space for you and your loved ones to enjoy.
Contact our outstanding team today to request an appointment to discuss the best way to heat and cool your sunroom.