The clever use of blinds, curtains, and other window treatments can help keep your house cool and your bills in check. The Department of Energy says the smart management of window coverings can reduce heat gain by up to 77 percent. (And, as a bonus, these same practices can reduce heat loss in the winter.)
Closing your window blinds on hot summer days blocks the sunlight to keep your home cooler and reduce your energy use. Closing them on cold winter nights cuts down on heat loss, so your home stays warmer with less strain on your furnace.
About 30% of a home's heating energy is lost through windows. In cooling seasons, about 76% of sunlight that falls on standard double-pane windows enters to become heat. Window coverings can help with this energy loss and lowering energy bills.
Finding a way to prevent heat lost through your windows can therefore save you a ton on energy costs. Cooler Air Today recommends installing blinds that prevent heat from entering the home during warm days as well as hot air from escaping the home on cold days.
In short, the answer is yes. Blinds, draperies, and window treatments are an effective method for cutting heating and cooling bills, regulating the temperature of your home, and enhancing its overall appearance.
The answer is 'yes', certain types of blinds will trap a layer of air between the fabric and the glass, helping to keep out the cold coming in from your windows. Professionally fitted blinds can be an energy efficient way to keep the heat in and the cold out.
When completely closed, highly reflective blinds can reduce heat gain by around 45 percent, says the DOE. They can also be adjusted to block and reflect direct sunlight onto a light-colored ceiling, which diffuses the light without much heat or glare.
Drapes, curtains and blinds enable you to control the amount of sunlight that enters the room. If you keep them closed completely, you can block the light and heat coming from the sun. You might want to consider window treatments with a light-colored or reflective backing as they are known to work best.
Insulated Cellular Shades
For leaky windows, insulated cellular shades, sometimes called honeycomb shades, are one of the two most effective window treatments for keeping out the cold air and keeping in the heat.
Curtains offer better insulation and soundproofing.
In warm weather, however, blinds beat curtains in energy efficiency. Because blinds leak more heat from a room, they also decrease indoor heat gain more efficiently in the summer, by around 45 percent, which can lower your AC bills.
Venetian blinds are wonderful at reducing heat in the room. Coming in at number four on our list are the beautiful Venetian blinds. These are available in both aluminium and wood and also come in a range of slat sizes.
Cellular Shades. Cellular shades, or honeycomb shades, are one of the most energy efficient window coverings you can buy. They use a series of honeycomb-like cell pockets to trap air around your windows, keeping your rooms warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
When closed and lowered on a sunny window, reflective blinds (white or near white) are capable of reducing heat gain by 45 percent.
We often get asked the question 'do curtains and blinds work together? ' The answer is, for the most part, 'yes' – when paired, the two can bring out a flexible décor and ensure adequate blocking of light and privacy control. However, there are some style guidelines to follow to get the look just right.
Hanging curtains over blinds adds extra depth and elegance to your windows, as blinds alone can look cold or unfinished. Sometimes hanging curtains on their own is sufficient, but occasionally you need to add extra privacy or light control.
In terms of durability, blinds are likely more durable being made of wood versus cloth curtains, since material that can become moth-eaten, stained or mouldy – as you can imagine, curtains in bathrooms and kitchens have a huge risk of mould and stains because of the constant moisture in the air.
Good curtains stop cold air from entering your home by creating an air gap between the room and the window. Ideally, they also prevent any flow of hot and cold air which would create a draft.