Why Are Energy Efficient Window Treatments Worth Buying

With every passing year, the climate all across the world continues to get worse. Thanks to global warming, we are expecting hotter and hotter summers every year as well as colder and harsher winters. It has become clear that we need to be smart with how we use our energy and resources. So, why not start with our homes? Well, you can start saving energy by investing in energy efficient window treatments.

WHY ARE ENERGY EFFICIENT WINDOW TREATMENTS IMPORTANT?

Windows are a key factor in the list of things that affect your house’s temperature. It’s because they usually make up the majority of openings, and they cannot be closed like doors to block light. Having said that, windows are important, and they are indeed the most crucial element of our homes. It’s because they allow the sunlight into our homes, which is vital for our mental and physical health. Most importantly, windows play a pivotal role in terms of practicality and things like saving up energy used for lights in the daytime.

Aside from these benefits, there are a few disadvantages of having windows. Yeah, you read that right. It’s because windows have a huge impact on your room’s temperature. As a rule of thumb, the more sunlight comes in, the hotter the room will get. Therefore, your air-condoner will have to work harder and longer, leaving you with massive electricity bills. As for winters, heat can escape from the windows as well! Thankfully, various energy efficient window treatments can be used to prevent these problems.

Energy efficient window treatments help reduce energy loss from our windows. They do so by adding a layer of insulation over a window’s glass pane. There’s a huge variety of energy efficient window treatments available in the market. Each type has its own unique advantages. Most importantly, the right kind of energy efficient window treatments can help you save heaps of cash in the long run. In this article, we are going to discuss why energy efficient window treatments are worth buying by analyzing all the crucial aspects. So, without further ado, let’s dive into it!

HOW DO ENERGY EFFICIENT WINDOW COVERINGS WORK?

Energy efficient window coverings provide insulation by blocking out the solar heat gain. Windows that receive direct sunlight during the summer can increase heat by 33%.  However, you can reduce this considerably by using draperies or any other energy efficient window coverings. Similarly, in cold regions, you can reduce heat loss through windows can by 10% by using energy efficient window coverings.

Some of these energy efficient window coverings use triple weave fabrics to retain heat in the winters and keep cool air inside during the summer. Others use air pockets to block the outside heat or reduce heat loss during the winters, such as honeycomb shades. Meanwhile, some use a fabric that either absorbs the solar radiation or reflects it, thus keeping the room temperature cooler on a hot day.

As a general rule, you should remember that lower solar absorbance reflects more heat than higher solar absorbance. This will help you find suitable options according to your needs. Energy efficient window coverings are not only pocket friendly as they reduce your electricity bills, but also environmentally friendly as they reduce the ozone-depleting gases emitted by the air conditioners.

WHO SHOULD GET ENERGY EFFICIENT WINDOW TREATMENTS?

Every building or house has its own needs and requirements for insulation or the type of window treatments to be used. There are many factors that are involved in deciding the type of window treatments required.

The first and foremost is the region where that building or the house is located. For buildings in hot regions, heat insulation is very important. As 33% of the heat comes through the windows, the selection of energy efficient window treatments is very crucial in such areas. For colder regions, it is important to reduce the heat loss through the windows; this requires another type of consideration when selecting the window treatments.

The number and size of windows is another factor in deciding the type of window coverings. Different windows in the same building or house might have different requirements for the type of window coverings depending on how much sunlight they get at different times of the day. Windows receiving more sunlight during the summer days require energy efficient window coverings. Let’s look at who can benefit the most by investing in energy efficient window treatments.

People with Larger Windows

Large windows look good as they offer a great view of what’s outside. But they also let a lot of energy leak through them. Thus, large windows increase the room temperature considerably. For large windows, energy efficient window coverings are a must-have.

People with High Energy Bills

If you are bothered by high energy bills, it’s time to switch to energy efficient window coverings. It’s because better heat insulation on your windows can result in less dependency on air conditioners for keeping the room at a comfortable temperature.

People Who Experience Extreme Weather

With the passage of time, we are experiencing weather changes throughout the globe. Weather is becoming more and more extreme, be it summer or winter. Energy efficient window coverings help to tackle this issue to some extent. They help keep the extreme heat out and reduce energy loss during winters.

POPULAR TYPES OF ENERGY EFFICIENT WINDOW TREATMENTS

A vast range of energy efficient window coverings is available in the market. You can choose the one that suits your requirements the best possible way. Some provide a higher level of insulation, while others do it to a moderate level. Here is a list of some of the most popular energy efficient window coverings:

• Insulating Blinds
• Smart Blinds
• Cellular Shades
• Solar Shades
• Drapery Window Coverings

Insulating blind Window Coverings

Insulating blind coverings are the most popular choice in energy efficient window treatments as they are good in providing insulation. They come in many styles, such as Vertical Blinds, Venetian Blinds, Roller Blinds, and Vision Blinds. They are also available in a range of materials such as wood, faux wood, and PVC.

Insulating blinds come in various colors and designs, such as faux wood. They are good for rooms with high humidity, such as kitchens or bathrooms. Moreover, insulating blinds will give your room a classy look.

Most types of Insulating blinds as energy-efficient window treatments are suitable for houses with simple designs as opposed to modern minimalist designs. However, all in all, their installation is cost-effective, and their diversity in design makes them an excellent choice for saving energy while staying economical and fashionable.

Smart Blinds

If your house has a lot of windows, it will be extremely difficult to open and close the blinds to conserve energy in every single room. For interior spaces like these, smart blinds are perfect for efficiently saving energy. Smart blinds are the latest addition to smart home technology. The selling point of smart blinds is the convenience and luxury they bring about to your place of residence.

Smart blinds can be made with insulating materials, which help regulate the environment indoors and save energy. Moreover, some smart blinds come with programs that detect the temperature and learn when to close themselves at the hottest time of the day and when to open them to let in sunlight.

Cellular Shades

Cellular shades are the best option for places with extremely hot summers or, in general, for rooms that get the most amount of sunlight throughout the day. Naturally, these rooms will have the highest power consumption as keeping them cool will be the hardest in the summers.

Cellular shades are specifically designed to be effective insulators. Their cell-like structure creates air pockets and traps heat inside them, creating the perfect insulation. Some cellular shades come with two layers of cells, which further increases their utility. By keeping the room temperature at its lowest, cellular shades will keep your energy consumption low.

Solar Shades

Solar shades are proven to block out 85% of the sun’s direct heat. They act as a second layer over the window. Also, solar shades come with different options, like 70-95% coverage, and so on. The higher the coverage, the less light penetrates through the shades. You can select solar shades according to your liking for each room. The best thing about solar shades is that they insulate your windows without completely blocking your vision.

Drapery window coverings

Drapery window coverings are more energy efficient as they are made from heavier materials such as damask, silk, or velvet. However, they can be made with other materials and fabrics as well. Drapery window coverings are usually long, making them a good option for heat insulation as well as elegance. They are easy to fit in any type of window and can be customized to suit any color scheme. This makes them suitable for windows that receive too much sunlight during the summer.

ARE ENERGY EFFICIENT WINDOW TREATMENTS WORTH BUYING?

Yes, window treatments can be incredibly energy efficient, especially if utilized in the right way. They make up for an excellent investment that will improve your quality of life and make your home more comfortable to live in. There’s a huge variety of window treatments for you to explore. If you still aren’t sure what type of window coverings are ideal for you, feel free to get in touch with us. Our experts will be more than happy to guide you.