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. open windows at night when the air is cooler, but close ground floor windows when you leave the house or go to bed.
For instance, choosing lighter curtains, voile or blinds in a lighter colour could help to reflect the sun's rays out of the room, so it's worth keeping these closed. If you have dark fabric curtains then it's probably best to keep them open, as dark colours will draw in the heat and could leave the room even warmer.
If the temperature is higher outside than it is inside, you should keep your windows and curtains closed. This will shut the heat out, and help to keep your home cool. If, however, it's cooler outside or there's a pleasant breeze, then you should open the windows.
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.
Close your blinds and curtains.
Keeping your blinds closed during the day will reflect a surprising amount of heat radiating in through windows, especially during the time of day when the sun's rays shine directly on your home.
Thermal curtains feature a layer of acrylic foam between the double or triple layers of fabric to provide insulation, making these curtains ideal for winter months or drafty windows. Thermal curtains can also dampen sound, block out sunlight, and reduce energy bills.
If passersby can see into your house and either valuables are on display, or the room visible is a functional, private, family space, by all means you should keep your curtains closed.
That's what makes winter the perfect time of year to throw your windows wide open. You're not running your air conditioner, so you won't risk wasting energy. Pollen isn't as much of a concern, and the cooler winter air will invigorate the senses.
It's important to open windows regularly to introduce fresh air into your house and ensure that your house is properly ventilated. If you never open your windows, levels of pollutants in the air you breathe are likely to increase. This can eventually harm your health.