Energy-Efficient Window Coverings Can Save You Money
In case you’ve doubted whether going green with window treatments is worth it, consider this: According to the U.S. Department of Energy, windows account for about 30% of a home’s energy loss.
During the summer, bright sunlight can heat up a room pretty quickly, reducing the occupants’ thermal comfort. To escape the heat, what do many people do? Adjust their air condition thermostat accordingly. But even if they don’t, their HVACs must still work harder than usual to keep the room comfortable. If this happens day after day, one likely result is significantly higher energy bills.
During the winter, the problem with regard to windows is not heat gain, but heat loss. To keep rooms warm and cozy, many homeowners raise their home heating levels, which can also lead to higher energy bills.
Practical and Stylish Solutions
Window coverings minimize heat gain by limiting the amount of sunlight filtering into a home, and they cut heat loss by serving as insulating barriers. So, the question becomes what are the more energy-efficient window coverings on the market? Here are two outstanding options:
- Cellular shades – Air pockets in the honeycomb cross-sections of these coverings act as insulators, reducing the conduction of heat or cold through the window. In the winter, tightly installed cellular shades can reduce heat loss through windows by 40% or more. In the summer, cellular shades can reduce solar heat gain by as much as 80%.
- Draperies – Light- or medium-colored drapes, or those with white backings, reflect the sunlight instead of absorbing it, thus, keeping your home at a cool and comfortable temperature. In fact, studies show that drapes can reduce heat gain through windows by up to 33%. During the winter, simply closing your drapes can reduce heat loss by 10%. Furthermore, installing drapes as close to the ceiling and windows as possible leaves little space for warm air to escape, cutting heat loss by as much as 25%.
As one of the nation’s leading providers of custom window treatments, Exciting Windows! offers premium cellular shades and draperies. When you partner with one of our knowledgeable consultants, you’ll be able to view samples of these treatments so that you can get a better idea of which one works best for you. Contact us today for more information or to schedule a free at-home consultation.
