Most of us are thinking about how we can keep our heating and energy bills down this winter as energy prices soar.
Well if you’ve already got energy saving blinds, such as our Duette® honeycomb energy efficient blinds, you’re helping to reduce the amount of heat lost at windows by around 46%. But if you’re looking at how you can insulate your home better, and save on energy bills, then window blinds and curtains are a great way to keep rooms warmer. Here’s the best ways to keep homes warmer with window blinds.
It’s estimated that 30% of winter heating is lost through windows with some experts claiming on average 50% of heat loss in a home is through the windows … that a lot of money wasted through our home’s glazing! Heat loss is caused by radiation through glazing, convection and conducted through the window frame according to Safestyle Windows.
But did you know that your window dressings can play a major role in retaining heat and keeping your home warm?
Different types of blinds and curtains have varying energy efficiency qualities, here are some of the best ways to prevent heat loss at windows with innovative and beautiful blinds.
Choose energy efficient Duette® Blinds
Duette® blinds can reduce heat loss by up to 50%. That can mean a big big saving on your bills considering so much domestic heat escapes through windows. That’s not all – in the summer they will help to keep your home cooler by keeping the sun’s warmth out.
Our energy-saving Duette® blinds have a unique honeycomb construction that acts as an extra insulating barrier at your window by trapping pockets of air. This insulating barrier can make a huge difference when it comes to keeping your home warm in the winter months.
There are different types of Duette® blinds. Blackout versions are available – perfect for shutting out gloomy winter nights and the best for insulation, and the semi-opaque fabric options allow light to ripple through during daylight hours, whilst still conserving heat at the window. You can also use our InTu system to add even more insulation by eliminating gaps around the blind, and opt for no visible cords and motorised blinds that give you complete climate control at the touch of a button.
Get your thermals out!
Thermal and blackout lined curtains and blinds are also great for energy efficient window dressing.
BlocOut™ roller blinds (particularly BlocOut™ XL and 40) are the most effective way of increasing heat retention, whilst for curtains and Roman blinds we recommend a thermal blockout lining for the very best energy saving benefits.
Fitting is also important, for example the further from a window a curtain or blind is fitted the less thermal benefits it offers. You should also consider the header type and the gaps it can leave. For example a Wave header, that goes to the ceiling and the floor, has a smaller open area for light and heat to escape. Whilst an eyelet header on a pole just above and below the window allows lots of openness for air to flow through and escape in and out of the window.
Double up
Double dressing windows by layering curtains and blinds not only looks striking – it will also help to reduce heat loss. The most popular combination is a Roman blind with co-ordinating or contrasting full length curtains – with a made-to-measure blind fitting neatly in the window recess and curtains over the top. By opting for both blinds and curtains, fabrics can be cleverly co-ordinated or contrasted to make a design statement. Add a thermal lining to both of these for the most effective way to retain heat with two layers.
Shout out to shutters
Shutters are a fantastic investment in any home and they have great energy saving benefits too. Shutters are constructed from thicker material than fabrics which mean the can retain the temperature of your home, stopping heat escaping through windows and acting as a barrier against the outside cold air entering the room. Wooden shutters are thermally dynamic meaning they reflect the outside cold before it reaches your interior, this is reported to reduce heat loss by up to 51%.
To get the very best energy savings from your shutters it is recommended to fully open your louvres every morning to allow maximum light and heat in during the day. Keep the louvres open throughout the daylight hours, this allows the sun rays to heat your home and then when daylight ends, close all louvres to create an insulated layer between the room and glass.
For more information on the best energy saving blinds book a design visit with your local Apollo www.apollo-blinds.co.uk/find-your-apollo/
* Source: Hunter Douglas Europe BV, researched by Milieu Centraal (Netherlands) and Fraunhofer Institute (Germany