As I promised from last week’s blog regarding tips to cool off without air conditioning, I would let you know about window treatments that can lower your energy bills. Whether it’s a pair of drapes hung to frame a sunny view or shades to add privacy above a bow/bay window, homeowners tend to decorate their windows based on beauty and don’t think about function and energy savings. Window treatments can help lower your monthly energy bills. Let’s talk about which ones may work for you.
The United States Department of Energy (DOE) window drapes backed with white plastic can offer significant savings as much as 33%.
If you weren’t a fan (no pun intended) of the non- AC tips from last week’s blog, explore some of these window treatments instead.
Shades
According to the DOE, they consider window shades as the simplest and most effective way to save energy with window treatments. The key thing to know is that proper installment is paramount. Your installer needs to create a tight seal between the wall and the glass to minimize heat gain and loss. Remember that light shades reflect in the summer and darker shades will absorb heat during winter. Check out the Thermal Woven Cordless Roman Shade from Country Curtains in Beverly here. I particularly like the bordered bamboo woven style-oh so coastal!
Possible Gain: They can help reduce both solar heat gain and heat loss.
Blinds
Did you know that both interior and exterior blinds can help maintain desired light, privacy and ventilation as well also save money on your energy bills by reducing solar heat gain? Putting my teacher hat on for a moment here. Solar heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) is the prevention of letting heat into the home through the panes of glass sourced by the sun. The lower the number, the better. Typical Energy Star rated windows range from 1.25-.25. Our industry leading windows can be as low as .18. How do you like that number? You can check out our award winning energy efficient windows and this month with a purchase of 8 or more, I will personally send you a $100 Home Goods Gift Card. Double Bonus!
Ok, back to blinds….although tricky to install, exterior blinds are more effective than interior blinds as they block the heat before it’s transmitted through the window, warming up the room and possibly damaging your furniture with UV rays. You can check out some interior blinds such as the Easy Touch Blind Cordless Blinds. Bonus….the slats are mildew resistant. But remember, it’s really interior blinds that win in this style of window fashion.
Possible Gain: Good option for light, ventilation and privacy while reducing heat gain.
Drapes
Drapes tend to be the best option for helping insulate your home from solar heat gain in summer and heat loss in the winter. You need to choose the right fabric weight and color as I stated earlier as well as position them as close to the windows as possible. You also need to have a tight seal for maximum performance. Did you know that the higher you hang the drapes to the floor the better the performance?
Look at the examples from Country Curtains here for great summer choices! These Insulated Weaver’s Cloth Pinch Pleats keep your heating & cooling bills down while keeping a classic New England Look for your home. These pinch-pleated curtains are backed with thermal acrylic to insulate your rooms against cold drafts in the winter and to keep heat out, as well as to block sunlight in the summer. For additional home interior design tips visit Well Dunn Home Designs.
Possible Gain: Depending on fabric weight and color, good reduction in solar heat gain and loss.
DID YOU KNOW?
Something you should know about all window treatments. If you currently have steel or aluminum siding, your home is conductive thus absorbing all heat and cold which none of these treatments will probably work for your home. I would hate to see you waste time and money installing them to not have any energy savings.
I hope I was able to educate you on how window treatments can lower your energy bills today. If you want to learn more about windows and how you can save up to 40% in energy savings without treatments, call me to chat at 978-304-0495. Always happy to help!
Have a bright, bright sunshiny week!
Stephanie
SUNsational Summer Giveaway #8!
This week we have partnered with Tile By Design located in Danvers, MA.
Tile By Design is giving away a set of glass mosaics that are each hand-poured and unique, designed with a certain amount of variation and variegation of color, tone, texture and shade for a distinctive appearance. The hand-made process incorporates creases, wrinkles, waves, bubbles and other surface effects indicative of hand-made glass, all designed to capture light and enhance the final beauty of the project.
