Is one of your new year’s resolutions to cut down on your monthly expenses? While there are the obvious methods for saving–like skipping your morning latte for a cup of joe brewed at home, or opting out of those premium cable channels–it can also pay to think outside of the box when it comes to saving money. Creating an energy-efficient home, for example, can reduce monthly bills permanently. And that doesn’t mean you have to strip your space down to the studs to install extra insulation or shell out tens of thousands of dollars replacing windows and appliances. Something as simple as swapping out your existing window treatments for energy efficient versions can help you save money immediately every month.
According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, up to one-third of a home’s energy loss occurs through its windows and doors, even with the most energy-efficient, cutting edge windows. The addition of insulating window treatments to any windows, however, can substantially reduce this heat transfer, keeping your home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer, without any impact on your monthly energy bills.
There are a number of options when choosing window treatments that can save you money.
- One of the most common choices is honeycomb shades. The cellular construction of these lightweight shades traps air in these pockets, preventing the rest of the air on either side of the shade from passing in or out of your room. The more cells a shade has, the better insulating properties it offers.
- Lined drapery in a medium or heavy-weight fabric is another excellent option not only for their ability to reduce energy transfer, but also for the nearly limitless style options they offer since lined drapery can be custom ordered in thousands of fabrics. According to the Smart Energy Alliance, lined drapery offers an average R-value of between R-3 to R-5. R-value is a measure of a material’s thermal conductivity, or insulation ability, with a higher number equalling better insulting property.
- If you prefer a “hard” window treatment or like the look of blinds, plantation shutters also provide good insulation. Wooden plantation shutters have an R-value between 2.77 and 3.17.
For more information on creating an energy efficient home through window treatments, contact The Shade Company to schedule a complimentary in-home consultation with one of our expert staff members.
