Reduce Energy Bills with Energy Saving Blinds, Shades & Drapes –
Many homeowners are not aware how much of their house’s heating and cooling energy can be lost through its windows! Here are some factors to consider – and simple steps you can take – when selecting and installing window treatments, to help you conserve energy and reduce utility costs. We can show you how to have beautiful window treatments that enhance your decor and ALSO substantially reduce your air conditioning costs!
Energy Saving Window Blinds and Shades- – Malibu, Thousand Oaks, Calabasas, Westlake Village
The good news for Californians is that window blinds – both vertical and horizontal – are substantially more effective at reducing summer heat gains than winter heat loss!
In fact, when blinds are completely closed your home’s heat gain can actually be reduced by around 45%. Highly reflective window shades can result in similar energy saving when pulled all of the way down.
The “slats” that comprise blinds also offer flexibility controlling ventilation as well as sunlight. For example, slats can be adjusted to block and reflect direct sunlight while still allowing a breeze to “circulate” . . . for example, an ocean breeze from a Malibu beach exposure!
Energy Saving Draperies – – Malibu, Thousand Oaks, Calabasas, Westlake Village
The effectiveness of a drapery (or curtain) in reducing heat gain will depend upon a variety of unique factors. Some of the factors that affect energy savings are:
- Drapery fabric weave (closed weave or open weave)
- Drapery fabric color (dark vs. light)
- Drapery fabric reflectiveness
- Drapery lining
Draperies typically may remain cooler in the summer sun than some other window treatments because their pleats and folds actually lose (conduct) heat through convection. For example, drapery industry studies have demonstrated that light to medium colored draperies with white linings can reduce heat gains by up to as much as 33%!
A number of other technical installation issues also influence a drapery’s effectiveness in preventing heat gain in the hot summer months. Draperies should be hung as close to windows as possible – and should fall completely onto the windowsill or the floor, if possible. This full coverage “seals” out the sun’s heat and harsh rays.
Additionally, installing a cornice at the top of your drapery (or placing the drapery higher up toward or against the ceiling) will further help to “seal” the drapery and prevent heat gain. Further “sealing” the drapery at both sides (by pulling it completely to the wall), and “sealing” the center by overlapping the panels in the center, may reduce heat loss up to 25%.
We can also show you how hanging two panels together (eg. a drape and a liner) will create a tighter air space than just hanging one drapery. When doing this the room remains more comfortable as the “room-side” of the drapes will be able to maintain the same temperature as the interior of the room, while the external panel absorbs and reflects the sun’s heat!
