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Energy Efficient Window Coverings

Window coverings can reduce energy loss through windows, lower heating and air conditioning bills. It is estimated that about 30% of a home’s heating energy is lost through windows. This can be prevented through relevant window coverings. Most types of window treatments will result in energy savings, but the exact savings will depend on the type of window treatment used. Window treatments give you the flexibility to choose whether to keep your window coverings open or closed for privacy, and to maximize natural light, take advantage of heat from the sun in the winter, and reduce heat gain in the summer. Some of our options include shades, blinds, draperies or curtains, shutters, skylight solutions and motorization.

Below we list some window treatments that provide significant energy savings.

Roller or Roman Shades

These shades are light and come in a variety of fabrics, colors, and weaves. Heavier fabrics will typically offer slightly better thermal performance, but roller and roman shades offer only a small amount of insulation and are most effective for privacy, room darkening, and blocking sunlight.

Drapery

Drapery has the ability to reduce heat loss and maximise heat depending on several factors, including fabric type (closed or open weave) and color. During summer days, you should close draperies on windows receiving direct sunlight to prevent heat gain. Studies demonstrate that medium-colored draperies with white-plastic backings can reduce heat gains by 33%.

When drawn during cold weather, most conventional draperies can reduce heat loss from a warm room up to 10%. In winter, you should close all draperies at night, as well as draperies that don’t receive sunlight during the day.

To reduce heat exchange or convection, draperies should be hung as close to windows as possible and fall onto a window-sill or floor. For maximum effectiveness, install a cornice at the top of a drapery or place the drapery against the ceiling. Then seal the drapery at both sides and overlap it in the center. Taking these steps may reduce heat loss up to 25%.

Blinds

Vertical or horizontal blinds are more effective at reducing summer heat gain than winter heat loss. It’s difficult to control heat loss through interior window blinds, but the slats offer flexibility in the summer. When completely closed and lowered on a sunny window, highly reflective blinds can reduce heat gain.

Skylight Solutions

Skylights are beautiful and serve as a great addition to bring extra light back into your living space. On the other hand, once the summer comes around, the heat in some areas of the house can become unbearable. Fortunately, we’ve got you covered with many different options and styles to bring cool temperatures back into your space.

We have a great variety of cellular shades, shutters and horizontal blinds. Cellular blinds are great not just for during the summer but can also provide insulation during the cold days of winter.

Motorized Blinds

Motorized blinds not only add convenience and are often a talking point but timers can be set to maximize or minimize making them a very energy-efficient choice. Unique sensors allow you to increase energy efficiency by automatically adjusting blinds with rising temperatures. If we notice that there is sun during the day but we are not at home, we can control the motorized blinds and curtains through our phones to conserve the heat. In the warmer months, the motorized blinds sensor can detect the heat and activate them to be lowered, which allows considerable savings on air conditioning.

For more information about how Lux Blinds Vancouver can help your daily energy savings, please contact us to prepare a free full project consultation.