How Much Can You Save With Energy-Saving Window Treatments?

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No house is complete without a window. Windows are essential because they help regulate the temperature of your home by allowing fresh air and natural light to come into the house. However, windows can also let warm or cool air escape from your home, which can increase the energy consumption of your heating and cooling systems.

Windows lose up to 30% of a home's heating energy. During summer, close to 76% of the sunlight that comes through standard windows is converted into heat, which can affect your energy bill. One way to help avoid this expense is to use energy-saving window treatments. 

These window treatments can lower your monthly energy bill, but the exact amount depends on the type of treatment, season, climate, and how the treatment is used. Choosing the right window treatment can minimize heat loss by more than 40% during winter. This saves about 10% on heating energy.  On the other hand, during summer, energy-saving window treatments reduce the heat coming in through the windows by more than 60%, saving about 20% on cooling energy. Regency Shutter & Shade offers a variety of energy-saving window treatments, some of which are discussed below.

Wooden Shutters and Blinds

Wooden shutters and blinds are an excellent choice if you’re looking for a window treatment that is both aesthetically pleasing and energy-saving. Because of how they’re installed, they do a fantastic job of regulating the temperature of your home and lowering your energy bill.

Wooden shutters form a tight barrier, which serves as an additional layer of insulation. While this contributes to energy savings all year, it’s particularly beneficial during the cooler months.

Standard blinds are efficient in the summer, lowering heat gain by up to 45%. However, they’re less effective in the winter. A solution is to use energy-saving blinds, which have a honeycomb structure. These honeycomb blinds, also known as cellular blinds, produce an insulating air pocket between the window and the room.

When blinds are closed, they are reflective and provide insulation. Horizontal blinds are ideal for allowing indirect sunshine into your home. As an added benefit, they prevent direct sunlight from entering the room, thus reducing heat gain. Regency Shutter & Shade offers customizable wooden shutters and blinds that add value to your home.

Solar Shades

One of the easiest and most effective ways to save energy in your home is to utilize window shades. Installing them on your window will produce a tight seal, reducing heat loss and gain.

Solar shades are an innovative line of shades made of fabrics and other materials specifically designed to reduce heat, block UV rays, and allow enough light into your space. This prevents your room from heating up and optimizes the operations of your cooling system.

Solar shades don’t provide complete privacy because they’re meant to let light and air pass through an open weave cloth. During the day, you can see the outdoor view, but passersby won’t be able to see into your room. At night, however, when the lights in a room are turned on, the solar shades allow passersby to see inside the room.

Window Curtains and Drapes

Curtains and drapes are less energy-saving when compared to other window treatments available. However, you can increase your energy savings by hanging your curtains and drapes close to the window to limit airflow and by selecting the right colors. 

Consider using darker colors in your bathroom and bedroom; they’re ideal for sleeping and offer better privacy and light control. Light or white-colored curtains and drapes with vinyl lining are ideal for living areas in warmer weather or for windows that receive direct sunlight for the majority of the day. The white lining functions as a reflector, keeping heat from entering your home.

Poly Shutters

Poly shutters provide the amazing energy-saving benefits that most customers seek. They’re designed to prevent heat transfer. Made from a material that is efficient at blocking light from the sun, they do a lot more than just regulate your room's temperature.

Poly shutters are simple to open when you need sunlight and fresh air. They're also highly durable and easy to clean.

Conclusion

Window treatments can enhance the beauty of your home, but they also serve a practical purpose by providing privacy while also helping you reduce your energy bills. If you’re unsure about which window treatment to choose, you can turn to Regency Shutter & Shade for assistance. Contact our team of experts today to learn which window treatment best suits your home. 

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