Hunter Douglas Heritance® hardwood shutters
Windows can account for between 25 and 40 percent of your home’s energy loss, according to the Center for Resource Conservation. However, there’s a way to fight the energy drain. Window coverings can be a cost-effective way to limit the amount of heat that escapes from your home in colder months. Here are three tips on using window treatments to increase energy efficiency.
1. Choose Energy Efficient Window Treatments
There are a number of window treatments on the market that are made with energy efficiency in mind. For example, Hunter Douglas Duette Architella shades are designed to prevent wind or heat from coming in through windows. Honeycomb-shaped cells in these shades trap air to help keep your home warm in the winter or cool in the summer. These window coverings are remarkably efficient and have shown to reduce energy loss by as much as 40 percent.
Hunter Douglas Duette® honeycomb shades
Shutters are another good choice for energy efficient window treatments. According to Energy.gov, shutters decrease heat loss when they fit snuggly against a window frame by providing an insulating air space between the shutter and the window.
2. Use the Right Color
Custom window treatments can be made in any number of fashionable fabrics in an array of colors. But on the topic of energy efficiency, it’s the color on the back of your window coverings that has a major impact. In fact, color is a secret weapon that can help keep your home cozy in the winter and cool in the summer.
For colder months, use a dark backing on shades or draperies so that your window treatments soak up any heat from the sun. In the summer months, swap out the color of your backing for white fabric so that window coverings reflect the sun’s rays to keep your home as cool as possible.
3. Get the Right Fit for Energy Efficiency
When it comes to energy efficiency, the fit of window coverings is a major factor. This is because window treatments create a protective barrier between your windows and the elements outside.
To successfully keep chilly winter wind out and toasty heat in, make sure shades or draperies are hung as close to windowpanes as possible and fully cover the entire span of the window. For the best results, consider hiring a professional to help you design and install new window treatments for your home.
