Closing curtains at night can reduce heat loss by up to 17 percent. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, using curtains with thermal lining can reduce heat loss by up to 25 percent. Using curtains with white plastic backings can reduce heat gain by up to 33 percent.
Do window coverings save energy? The short answer is yes! The right window coverings can help keep unwanted heat out of your home in the summer by blocking light and sun heat. This can reduce your energy costs by as much as 25 percent!
Not only will you save on your energy costs by closing the curtains on the sunny side of your home, but you'll be giving the environment a helping hand by reducing the ozone-depleting gases emitted by air conditioners.
Energy efficient curtains are also called insulated curtains or thermal curtains. They are thick, heavy curtains that contain a layer of acrylic foam that provides additional insulation. This insulation prevents heat and air from entering or escaping your windows.
Thermal lined curtains and blinds can significantly reduce heat loss through your windows. According to Energywise “Good curtains and blinds can reduce heat loss through windows by 60% for single glazed windows, and 40-50% for double glazing.” A thick, closely woven fabric will offer the best heat loss reduction.
Curtains help with heat retention by limiting the flow of air between the warm and cold areas of a room. Even double-glazed windows will afford heat with a chance to escape, but a set of heavy curtains will form a barrier that'll limit the flow of air from the main room to the window.
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.
Another benefit of blackout drapery is their ability to reduce your energy costs. In most homes, 10-25% of thermal energy loss is from windows. However, with blackout drapes, your energy bill could be reduced up to 25%. During the winter, blackout drapery will help keep the heat in the room.
People living in period properties are being told they can dramatically reduce their energy bills, simply by closing their curtains or shutters at dusk. Edinburgh researchers claim it could be as effective as fitting double glazing.
Energy Efficiency
Plantation shutters are energy-efficient because they are installed in such a way that they seal right up against the window frame. This helps to prevent inside air from escaping to the outside and prevents outside air from entering your home.
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.
To help keep all rooms in your house cool, you can: close pale-coloured curtains – closing dark curtains and metal blinds can make rooms hotter. keep windows closed when it's hotter outside than inside, but open them if the room gets too hot.
It depends on factors such as window length, but more often than not, curtains look best when touching the floor. However, how low you want your curtains to hang will determine what you want to achieve. In reality, different decorating styles employ varying curtain lengths.
A good set of blinds saves you money on your utility bill year-round.
But do thermal curtains work during the summer months? Well the short answer is yes. In the same way that thermal curtains greatly reduce the amount of heat that may escape your room via your windows in the winter, they can also block heat from entering a room during the summer.
Blackout curtains and shades will reduce the amount of heat which is transferred via your windows by as much as 24 percent, keeping the rooms where they're installed cooler in summer and warmer in winter. This will allow you to use your heating and cooling system more efficiently and save energy.
For example, lightweight materials, such as linen, lace and sheer cotton, are loosely woven and allow chilly air to penetrate your rooms. Choose thick curtains in heavyweight, tightly woven textiles -- velvet, tapestry, tweed, denim, suede -- to provide a dense barrier against chilly outdoor air.
Closing curtains at night can reduce heat loss by up to 17 percent. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, using curtains with thermal lining can reduce heat loss by up to 25 percent. Using curtains with white plastic backings can reduce heat gain by up to 33 percent.
Yes! Thermal curtains work effectively during both winter and summer. Medium- to light-colored curtains with a white, thermally reflective backing can reduce heat gain during the summer by as much as 33% by reflecting solar radiation. The orientation of the window also affects energy efficiency.
But what's the difference between blackout and thermal curtains? In short, blackout curtains are primarily designed to blackout a room by reducing the amount of light that can enter through the window. Thermal curtains, on the other hand, are primarily designed to reduce heat loss from a room's windows.
Curtains are not outdated. They are keeping up with the trends and can my used in modern as well as traditional interior design. Curtains are classic decorative and functional window treatments. They are multifunctional, versatile, affordable, and efficient to use for our windows.
Energy efficient windows, also known as energy saving windows, are designed to prevent your heated or cooled air escaping from your home. Their increased insulation reduces your home's energy usage—and therefore, your bills! —while also making your home more comfortable overall.
Close your curtains at night
This results in energy losses of 50-100 watts per square metre, equivalent to running an old-fashioned light bulb. The best way to prevent this heat loss is to close your curtains and lower your blinds immediately after dusk.