Cutting your cooling costs with shades and blinds

Did you know that around 30% of your home’s heating energy is lost through windows? And if that isn’t startling enough, around 76% of sunlight that shines on a double pane window comes right on into your home, heating it up. Just one uncovered window or improperly shaded window could be costing you a considerable amount on your heating and cooling bill each month.

Window coverings can make a difference, but some work better than others. Here’s what you need to know about how blinds can cut your heating and cooling costs in your home.

Do Blinds Help with Heating and Cooling?

Blinds and shades can be very effective in helping to reduce your cooling and heating costs in your home. When you install blinds in a room, you may notice that the temperature immediately drops. When there isn’t as much heat getting into the room, your air conditioner and heater don’t have to work as hard. This translates to lower heating and cooling costs. What’s more, because you are not using the units as much, they will tend to have less wear and tear which will keep them running optimally and they won’t require repairs as often.

How Much do Blinds Reduce Heat?

Some blinds and shades are more effective than others at reducing heat. For instance, insular cellular shades can reduce heat entering through your windows by as much as 80% and heat loss by 40% or even more.

Draperies that are medium color and have white plastic backing can also help reduce the heat entering through your windows. By closing your drapes when the windows are in direct sunlight, you can have a 33% reduction in heat gains. It can also reduce heat loss in a room during cold weather by as much as 10%.

Which Blinds are Best to Keep Heat Out?

Roller shades and Roman shades provide minimal insulation, but they work very well for blocking sunlight, darkening a room, and providing privacy. The tighter the fit of the shades in the window the better they perform. Still, insular cellular shades are your best bet for helping to reduce your heating and cooling costs.

Blinds that can help keep your room cooler include:

• Wood blinds
• Faux wood blinds
• Venetian blinds
• Roller blinds
• Vertical blinds

Each of these types of blinds do provide some insulation and block minimal heat gains through your windows.  The key is to install blinds that fit tightly in the window so that there isn’t much room around the blind for heat to escape.

Many of these blinds and shades can be motorized which is very convenient. They can be set to close at times during the day when the windows are in direct sunlight, even if you aren’t at home. They are also very effective for providing privacy and light control.

Cut heating and cooling costs in your home without sacrificing style! At Valley Drapery & Upholstery we have a wide variety of blinds and shades to help cut costs while still reflecting your personal style. Contact us today and make an appointment with one of our talented designers and beat the heat with our gorgeous window coverings.