When the
Fit a deep sill or shelf over the radiator, and position your curtains so that they touch the shelf. By touching the shelf your curtains will minimise draught from your windows, and the shelf will act to push the radiator heat out into your room, rather than into the void between the curtains and window.
White or light coloured curtains and blinds are better at reflecting heat and light away from your home. If you have thick, dark curtains, closing them will only trap heat in the room.
Based on some brief research, we found that, in general, code dictates drapery is to be hung 3" away from the front of your electric baseboard heater. It is also required that there is a minimum 1" clearance from the ceiling and floors for optimal air circulation.
According to the Energy Saving Trust, 18% of heat is lost through windows in an uninsulated house*. One of the best ways to reduce this heat loss is to install thermal curtains. They are a cost-effective way of saving energy and reducing your heating bills.
Are curtains good for insulation? Absolutely. Curtains reduce the amount of air exchange between a cold window and the rest of the room. For keeping heat inside the home, high-quality curtains can reduce heat loss by around 40%, particularly if they are floor length and close to the wall and window panes.
Contrary to popular belief, windows don't have as much effect on heat loss as you think, as they take up a lot less surface area than walls. But they will stop some heat loss, prevent cold draughts and improve soundproofing in your home.
Baseboard heaters require careful consideration to ensure they function efficiently and safely: Maintain Clearance: Keep furniture at least 6 inches away from baseboard heaters. This prevents the blockage of heat and reduces fire risk.
In a living room, the recommended curtain lengths usually range between 96 and 108 inches, but this can change based on the height of the ceilings. A well-chosen curtain in your living room can complement your furniture and add to the room's overall aesthetic appeal.
Put up something (long, smooth bar, or stretched rope) to hold the bottom of the curtains tightly against the wall. No deflectors needed, and reduces air cooling against the cold window surfaces by blocking circulation behind the curtains.
During the winter, blackout drapery will help keep the heat in the room. While in summer, they have the ability to reflect heat out of the room.
Vinyl windows are an excellent choice for desert climates due to their unique properties and benefits, which include: Energy Efficiency: Vinyl windows have excellent insulation properties, reducing heat transfer between the interior and exterior of your home.
Smart Home Cooling Tips. 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.
Leaving windows covered by blackout curtains can help keep some heat out during the day, but there's a hidden source of heat that can still lead to sticky sleeping without some proactive steps. Light and heat from the sun heats up everything it touches, including the structure of your home.
Efficiency and Air Flow
Placing the heat vents beneath the windows is actually best for efficiency and proper airflow.
Float-length drapery should be no more than 1- or ½-inch off the floor because any higher than that and your curtains may look like they were ordered too short. How to Measure for Float-Length Drapery: Measure from the curtain rod down the floor and subtract ½ or ¼ of an inch.
Typically, curtains come in lengths from 63 inches, which just skim the window frame ledge, to a dramatic 144 inches, with an elegant puddle on the floor. However, the sweet spots that most homeowners gravitate towards are the 84-inch and 96-inch lengths.
Room-Specific Considerations
For rooms like dining rooms or living rooms where privacy isn't essential, you might consider bare windows if these rooms also have a beautiful view. Or opt for light-filtering window treatments like sheer curtains or Solar Shades for softened light and a bit of privacy.
Just like a radiator cover or large piece of furniture, curtains over radiators do block heat from entering the room efficiently. The reason for this can be explained by how radiators actually heat the room. The process is called convection.
Because baseboard heaters are outdated systems, you may need to hire heating repair services more often just to ensure they are in good working order. In contrast, more modern HVAC systems won't require as much maintenance, and they can efficiently heat your entire house through ducts and vents.
Window coverings and heavy furniture can also prevent heat from circulating effectively. Drapes should end at least 10 centimetres above the heater, and heaters should sit at least two centimetres above the carpet to allow the cooler air on the floor to flow under and through the electrical element.
Keep large, bulky furniture away from air return vents and consider replacing or painting the vent cover to update a room without harming your HVAC system. Open-backed pieces of furniture may be options to place in front of an air return vent, so long as they do not obstruct airflow when objects are placed on them.
An estimated 25% of all heat loss occurs through the attic or roof of a home. Cracks or holes in an attic, along with improperly placed vents, allow for significant amounts of heat loss through the attic space. In addition, improper ventilation in attics leads to even more heat escaping.
Walls, when not insulated properly, can account for nearly 35-45% of heat loss in homes, so it's imperative that you invest in the proper maintenance and insulation for these areas.