Is it better to leave curtains open or closed in winter?

Author: Dr. Olaf O'Keefe  |  Last update: Monday, September 11, 2023

When drawn during cold weather, most conventional draperies can reduce heat loss from a warm room up to 10% and increase the thermal comfort of the home. Therefore, in winter, you should close all draperies at night, as well as draperies that don't receive sunlight during the day.

Should curtains be open or closed in winter?

In the winter, if you have south-facing windows, let the light shine in. The sun will help heat your home naturally, which takes some pressure off your furnace. For other windows, keep blinds and curtains close during the winter to keep heat inside your home.

Should I leave curtains closed in winter?

The simple fact is closing your curtains at dusk helps stop cold draughts from penetrating. And it helps keep the heat in your home. Even if you have double or triple glazing in your home and they are draught-proofed you can still lose heat through your windows. Therefore it's a good habit to fall into doing.

Is it better to close curtains in cold weather?

The best way to prevent this heat loss is to close your curtains and lower your blinds immediately after dusk. They provide an extra barrier to radiant heat loss, add insulation and reduce draughts.

How do you keep your house warm in winter with curtains?

Keep cosy with curtains

Remember, the heavier the curtain, the better it's insulating effect. In general, lined curtains offer greater insulation than non-lined. If you want to keep your home extra warm, leave your curtains closed when you're out, and shut them before it gets dark.

Do Curtains Keep Heat In? TOP 4 TIPS FOR MAKING YOUR ROOM WARMER!

Does closing curtains keep heat in in winter?

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.

Does closing curtains keep heat in or out?

Yes, curtains can block heat from both entering and exiting your home. This is worth considering when you're trying to keep your home as warm as possible in an energy efficient manner over winter.

Does opening curtains make it warmer?

If it's winter and likely to be sunny, open the window coverings in the morning to allow the sun to heat your home through the day—especially those that receive direct sunlight. In the summer, you may want to keep window coverings closed to reduce heat gain.

How do you keep a poorly insulated house warm?

Tips to Keep a Poorly Insulated Home Warm
  1. Cover your windows with plastic window seals. ...
  2. Hang thermal curtains over your windows.
  3. Put a draft stopper in your door to the basement or garage. ...
  4. Make sure your heating system is maintained and has a clean air filter. ...
  5. Consider installing a ductless mini split system.

Is it hotter with curtains open or closed?

There isn't a fast and hard rule for this, it would seem, as it has been suggested that if you have pale curtains, you are safer to keep them shut as this will help keep the heat out - but if you have dark curtains, you will be blocking in the heat if you keep them closed.

Why should you keep your curtains closed?

Closing curtains can help cool the interior, save money on utility bills and lessen the wear and tear on your HVAC system. While window treatments make the interior and exterior of your home more visually appealing, you can also use curtains to their fullest potential by turning them into money-saving resources.

Why should I close my curtains at night?

— Closing your curtains won't just give you more privacy at night, a new study finds it can also protect your heart while you sleep!

Why do people keep curtains closed?

Another big reason is privacy. If you are overlooked, you keep your curtains closed so nosy people can't see in. Other reasons include reducing reflections of light on the TV screen or computer monitor. Really, there are many reasons why someone might keep their curtains closed all day.

What temperature is too cold for a house?

What Temperature is Too Cold for a House? While everyone has a different tolerance to cold, ideal winter heat settings should generally be at or above 63 °F (17 °C). Excessive cold (anything below 62 °F or 16 °C) in your home can actually raise your blood pressure as your blood “thickens” in the chilly temperatures.

Why is my house so cold even with the heating on?

If your furnace is blowing hot but your home is still cold, it may be a problem with your ductwork. You may have leaky or damaged ducts that are letting hot air escape and cold air in. Sometimes a damper in the system can get miss-adjusted or come loose, thereby inadvertently blocking or reducing airflow.

Why does my house feel cold at 73?

Your house could be cold due to an old air filter, a faulty furnace, improper insulation, or leaky ductwork. The simple fixes, like replacing an air filter, are relatively easy to complete. However, if the heater itself needs repairs, it's best to call in a professional to take a look and determine the problem.

How do I keep my windows warm in the winter?

Here are eight handy ways to keep cold draughts from coming through your windows.
  1. Secondary Glazing. ...
  2. Insulating Curtains. ...
  3. Draught Snakes. ...
  4. Weather Strips. ...
  5. Strategic Caulking. ...
  6. Window Insulation Film. ...
  7. Window Insulation Tape. ...
  8. Get a Secondary Glazing Quote and Keep Draughts Out of Your Home.

How much do curtains help with insulation?

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.

What are the best curtains to keep heat in?

Best thermal curtains 2023: Control temperatures and help cut your home's heating costs
  • Best overall: Deconovo Super Soft Thermal Blackout Curtains | Buy now.
  • Best eyelet: Morris & Co. ...
  • Best roller: Josette Blackout Thermal Roller Blind | Buy now.

How much heat is lost without curtains?

There's no denying it, summer is behind us now and glorious autumn is beckoning the colder nights – but if that chill is extending into your house it is worth checking your blinds and curtains. Around 10 per cent of the heat in our homes is lost through the window with that figure rising if you have single panes.

Is it cooler to sleep with curtains open?

The expert advises people to keep their curtains and blinds closed as allowing the sunlight to beam through the windows is one of the main factors in heating the room up. This heat remains in the room well into the night, long after the sun goes down.

How much heat do you lose through windows?

How is heat lost through windows? Around 18% of the total heat within a house is lost through the windows. This heat loss through windows is caused by radiation through glazing, convection and conducted through the window frame.

Why do Americans leave their curtains open?

It's partly historical, puritans used to leave the curtains open so their neighbours could see them being good puritans even after dark. I close my curtains so I don't get woken up by the sunlight streaming in when the sun rises.

Do closed curtains deter burglars?

So closing your blinds or curtains will prevent this exact information from being known, which cuts the chance of your place being burglarized in ha half. Not only covering, but also locking your windows will also greatly decrease your risk of being burglarized.

Why do people sleep with the curtains open?

This would stop draughts and provide privacy. Clearly, this remains to be true and therefore people do choose to sleep with the curtains open in summer to help keep their room at a cool temperature. While this does help, it's probably best to look at other ways to keep cool at night.

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