Wood blinds do deliver a bit of insulation and energy efficiency to your rooms. However, the U.S. Department of Energy primarily advises these window treatments as a solution for closing out summer sunlight to limit heat seeping into your rooms.
The right blinds could be the trick to lowering your monthly heating and cooling costs! 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.
Closing window blinds can also save energy in the winter. During cold winter nights, heat is lost through windows. Closing the blinds adds some insulation to the windows, reducing heat loss during cold periods. Some blinds also reflect heat back into the room.
Window blinds—vertical (Venetian blinds) or horizontal slat-type (louvered-type)—are effective at reducing summer heat gain and reducing glare, while providing good daylight indoors.
Typical horizontal blinds have an average R-value of 2.5 while honeycomb shades are better insulators and have an R-value between 3.25 to 5.0. By increasing the R-value of your window coverings you can decrease your energy bills.
How Blinds Help Keep Cold Out. When blinds are measured and fitted properly they insulate your home by trapping a layer of air between the blinds fabric and the window. This effectively seals of your windows so that air can't escape from the windows.
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.
Prevent heat loss in the winter
During the day: Open your window coverings during the day to let the sunlight warm your home naturally. In the evenings: Prevent heat loss in the evenings by closing the blinds and keeping the cool air out.
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.
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.
It really works, and it can increase a window's insulation for many months. Additionally, insulation film lets in sunlight—which can further warm a window. This side benefit is commonly overlooked, but it's incredibly valuable. Any natural heat gain is beneficial—reducing a heating system's work throughout the day.
Poor insulation can also cause temperatures to drop inside your home. One of the most obvious signs that you have poor insulation is cold drafts coming from vents, light switches, outlets, and exterior walls. If it's properly insulated, you shouldn't be able to feel any air coming from these areas.
Fiberglass is the cheaper option and you can install it yourself, but spray foam creates the air seal you will want in the space. The Building Science Corporation recommends a foam-based insulation material for crawl spaces because of this.
You can simply use a foil for insulation as a cost-effective alternative. By stapling the foil sheets to your attic, the heat reflects down into your living space. Hence, it lowers your heating costs. Attic Insulation Installation Services in Lincolnwood provide satisfactory assistance and properly insulates your home.
Bubble wrap is often used to insulate greenhouse windows in the winter, but it also seems to work fine for windows in the house. You can use it with or without regular or insulating window shades. It also works for windows of irregular shape, which can be difficult to find insulating shades for.
On double glazed windows, bubble wrap insulation does have some effect - up to 20% improvement in heat loss. By insulating single glazed window pane with bubblewrap, you can reduce up to 50% of heat loss. It is easy and fun to install, a few minutes per window is more than enough.