Window solutions are an increasingly common feature in many homes and offices, for both aesthetic and functional reasons, but they can also save you money.
According to conventional thinking, window solutions are typically used as a means of controlling the amount of sunlight that enters a room. However, they can play a vastly more significant role in improving the energy efficiency of a space. In this article, we explore the energy efficiency of blinds and shades and how they can help you save on energy costs. First, let’s talk about how windows impact energy consumption. Windows are one of the weakest parts in a building’s envelope, allowing heat to dissipate in the winter and enter in the summer. Windows can account for up to 25% of a home’s heating and cooling costs, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Hence, any improvements in window efficiency can have a big impact on energy savings.
Blinds and shades can help improve energy efficiency in numerous ways. One of the most prominent ways is by providing insulation. They create a barrier between room interiors and the window itself, reducing the amount of heat lost during the winter and heat gained during the summer. This is most effective with insulating blinds, which feature a layer of insulating material that traps air between the room and the window.
Another way window coverings can be energy efficient is by controlling the amount of sunlight entering the room. Some blinds can be programmed to shut during the hottest part of the day to bring down the amount of heat entering a room and then opened up again in the evening to allow natural light to enter, for example.
