Windows are wonderful for letting natural light and fresh air into our homes, but they are also one of the main culprits for energy losses. Approximately a third of a home heating energy is lost through windows in colder months, whereas in summer when we’re trying to stay as cool as possible, sunlight enters our home and warms us up. Because we don’t want to spend a fortune paying bills, we’ve prepared a list of things you can do to save energy and money with the right window treatments.
Blackout shades
You might think that blackout shades are here to help you protect your privacy from prying eyes, but they do a lot more. They will also control the amount of light that enters the room as well as the temperature. While natural light has many benefits, there are also times when you want the room to be a bit darker. When you’re trying to sleep a bit longer in the morning, or when you’re looking for the right treatments for your nursery. Parents who have toddlers know that children like getting up with the sun, and they should choose blackout shades seeing as these are able to block out most of the visible light which enters a room so that children will sleep a bit longer.
Insulated cellular shades
If you’re looking for something that will help you control the temperature in the room, especially during the heating season, insulated cellular shades are just the thing you need. They are very long and made of a pleated material which contains air layers. These air pockets are aligned like honeycombs and act as insulators, and the shades themselves designed to fold up like an accordion. Because they cover your windows they will give you privacy, but they will also help you save a lot of money on energy bills all year long.
Awnings
Awnings are roof-like shelters which you can install outside, and they will successfully block the light as well as the heat of the sun. They can shade a part of your porch or your windows, and they can be fixed or retractable, depending on what you need. Because retractable roof awning will prevent sunlight from even touching the window glass, they are more effective at reducing heat than curtains, drapes, or blinds. When looking for awnings for your home, always choose the ones made of quality materials such as reinforced aluminium because these will last very long and will be easy to clean. If you don’t want to climb the ladder in order to set the awnings, opt for fully automatic ones as they are far easier to use.
Curtains and drapes
The only difference between curtains and drapes is their length: while curtains are sized to fit the window perfectly, drapes reach all the way to the floor. People usually pick both drapes and curtains based on their colour and design, in hopes to find something that will fit the design of the room, but you should pay attention to fabric and color if you’re hoping for the best results. During winter you will want to open draperies and let in as much sun as possible, but you should still keep them drawn during the night to prevent heat loss. In summer you should keep them closed to prevent unwanted heat from entering your home. The best draperies are medium-coloured and have white-plastic backings.
Blinds
While blinds are widely used and appreciated, they do a better job keeping the light out and reducing summer heat than preventing heat loss in winter. Since there are many openings between the slats, it’s not really possible to be in control of the heat, as it will inevitably be lost between them. On the other hand, those same slats offer great flexibility during sunny summer months, and you can adjust the slates so that you have better control over light. Because they can be completely closed and lowered, and considering that they’re made of highly reflective materials, blinds can reduce heat gain much better than shades do.
A great number of window treatments are here to help you save energy and money, but there are a lot of factors you should keep in mind. From the climate and the season to the type of attachment and the way it’s used, there are different possibilities and you can expect different results. Try doing a bit of research in advance so you know what to expect and to find out the best ways to save money on window treatments as well as energy bills.
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