Bedroom Curtains, Blinds, Interior Design, Ready Made Curtains, curtains

3 Energy Saving Window Dressings

If saving energy is high on your priority list this year we have some inexpensive, yet effective ideas to help you save heat loss via your windows, which in turn can help lower your energy bills. If you want to ‘go green’ you’ll need to think beyond the colour! Being ‘green’ is all about helping to lower your carbon footprint and making the decision to use environmentally friendly soft furnishings, including your choice of window dressing.

It’s been proven that selecting the correct type of window dressing can help to keep precious heat inside your rooms during the winter, while also keeping the sun’s heat out during the summer. So let’s take a look at three window dressing options.

1. Venetian Blinds:
Venetian blinds are an efficient way to save energy in warmer countries as they are very efficient at helping to keep heat out of rooms and therefore lower the necessity to use air conditioning, however, keeping rooms cool in the summer doesn’t really affect many homes in the UK, with the exception of conservatories and sun-rooms. Venetian blinds do give you a superior light control along with privacy which makes them a popular choice in many homes. They’re usually used in conjunction with curtains, although contemporary homes use them as the sole window dressing.

2. Roller and Roman Blinds:
Often referred to as window shades these styles of blinds allow the maximum amount of light to enter a room when raised up. Opt for thermally lined versions and they’ll help keep heat in your home during the winter saving you money. During the summer they can be partially or fully lowered to block out harsh sunlight to keep rooms cool as well as helping furniture and floor to be protected from fading.

3. Curtains:
If you want to use curtains to help save you energy then you’ll have to be fussy over which materials and fabrics you choose. Fully lined ready made curtains will add another layer of insulation to your window dressing which could potentially save you up to 10% on heating bills. Likewise, pull them closed in the summer to help reduce heat build-up particularly in south facing rooms. Use a combination of lounge or bedroom curtains and blinds and you’ll double the energy saving efficiency, more especially if both the curtains and blinds are thermally lined.

Investing in the correct type of window dressing could potentially help you save on your fuel bills throughout the year.