How to Choose Window Treatments That Will Lower Your Electric Bill
While window treatments can be decorative and dress up a room, they can also serve a very important function.
At this time of year, it can become apparent that your windows may not be fully insulated, and the amount of heat that escapes through your windows could be costing you a great deal on your electric bill. On the other hand, in the summer, those without air conditioning really feel the effects of the sun warming up rooms with windows that are poorly covered.
Here are a few examples of how proper window treatments can help maintain the temperature in your home–and help save you a buck or two!
Drapes
If chosen properly, drapes help insulate your home from both loss of heat in winter, and the gain of the sweltering summer heat. The colour and weight of the fabric are very important factors.
If you have the right kind of drapes, and they are positioned properly, leaving them closed in the summer will help you reduce heat immensely.
Shades
Window shades are one of the simplest and most effective ways to save energy when choosing window treatments. But you have to make sure you install them just right–mounting the shades as close to the glass as possible and right up against the wall will create a tight seal that minimizes both heat gain and loss.
If you choose shades with dual layers of fabric — a light color on one side and a darker color on the other— you can switch the shades based on the season; the light colour will reflect heat in summer, while the dark colour will absorb heat during winter.
Blinds
Blinds can control the amount of desired light in a room, the ventilation, and add privacy. By keeping reflective blinds lowered on a hot day over a sunny window, you can greatly reduce the amount of heat entering into your home. Both interior and exterior blinds can offer this benefit. Exterior blinds can arguably block the heat even better, before it passes through the window.
Awnings
You may not be considering putting awnings on the exterior of your abode, but they can definitely add a little something interesting to a home’s exterior, and offer defence against the sun in regions with very hot weather. They have the most benefits when placed over south-facing or west-facing windows.
