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Energy Saving Curtains and Blinds for your Home
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curtains
The best way to retain heat in your home in winter, or coolness in summer is to fit shutters to open or shut according to the weather. If this is not possible then the next best method is to hang energy saving curtains (drapes) or blinds.
One of the most economic and easy ways to improve the insulation in your home is to dress your
energy efficient windows
with insulated or thermal curtains or blinds.
Not only is the insulation improved but thermal curtains and blinds also create a sound barrier where noise is reduced to a level to ensure a sounder sleep.
Thermal backed Roman shades, pinch pleat and tab drapes.
Energy efficient Blinds
This video shows the different types of curtain and drapes.
Window Coverings Source YouTube
Energy Saving Thermal Curtains/Drapes
Most energy saving curtains or drapes have a foam thermal backing. This backing can reduce thermal loss by up to 25% thus saving you money in heating and cooling costs. These energy savings will also reduce greenhouse gas emissions and your carbon footprint.
The majority of
thermal curtains
come in wide ranges of colours and styles and are available as ready-made and made to order.
Most thermal curtains are made from cotton or polyester or a blend of the two, making them easy to dry clean or machine wash.
Do check out my friend Joy's site about
Energy Efficient Homes
This site will give you lots of ideas on how to make your home even more energy efficient, increasing your comfort, saving you money and at the same time reducing your carbon footprint.
Energy Saving Blackout Curtains
It is possible to buy blackout curtains which give a high level of insulation and block light out by using a light-impermeable foam backing.
To ensure a tight fit around the window frames, make sure that the curtain hangs sufficiently high above the rod and the rod is wide enough to prevent light or heat "leaking" out from the sides of the curtains.
Curtain liners protect the curtains from fading, from dust and enable the curtains to hang more attractively due to their reduced thickness.
Curtains with Insulated Liners
If you wish to keep your curtains and buy thermal liners, they will offer the same benefits as the foam backed versions.
They will block out extra sunlight and help to reduce the effects of outside noise.
Insulated or thermal curtain liners can be bought ready-made or made to order.
Most have the special attachments to hang onto the rods or directly onto the existing curtains.
Roman Shades, Pinch Pleats and Tab Drapes
Insulated Roman Shades, pinch pleats and tab drapes are the most energy efficient when they overlap the frames (casements) by at least 5cm either side and 10cm top and bottom.
Thermally insulated Venetian/Pleated Blinds
These window blinds can be bought with:
a backing treatment that provides both insulation and a near black out light control effect
or
with a solar reflective backing which changes the cellular structure of the external side of the blind so it can reflect heat and light from the sun, keeping the temperature inside the home cool.
There are many different ways to increase the energy efficiency of your home and thermal backed window coverings are an excellent and relatively cheap way to save both the heating and cooling costs of your home.
Do also check out my web page about
energy saving window film
This method of keeping the house cooler in summer and warmer in winter is really worth a read.