Now that summer is here, we all look forward to vacations and long sunny days but not the excessive heat gain. This heat gain results in an uncomfortable home environment and rising utility bills. According to the US Department of Energy windows can account for 10% to 25% of your electric bill.
Before the latest innovations in glass, films, and coatings, over the last decade, a typical residential window with one or two layers of glazing allowed roughly 75- 85% of the solar energy to enter the home. During the summer, sunny windows make your air conditioner work two to three times harder. This has a negative impact on summertime comfort and cooling bills, especially in hot climates.
But turning down the thermostat or agonizing over R-value statistics is not the answer. R-values and shading coefficients are confusing and hard to understand. We try to help our customers make good buying decisions by evaluating a window coverings energy efficiency based on the products material makeup, basic construction,
and proper usage.
The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy says that horizontal blinds transmit 5%, reflect 40% to 60%, and absorb 35% to 55% of radiant energy. Horizontal blinds are not be the most energy efficient window covering available, but when used correctly they can help in conserving electricity.
To maximize the energy efficiency of your wood or faux wood blinds think about following the rising and setting of the sun. During the summer season, horizontal blinds should be tilted completely closed in the upward direction, especially when direct sun is on your windows. You will want to be sure to adjust your blinds through-out the day to keep those direct sun windows tilted closed in the upward direction. Once the sun sets, blinds can be adjusted to let the remaining light in until privacy is needed.
In fact, you might consider just tilting the all your wood or faux wood blinds up in the closed position during the hottest hours of the day. This will do the most for summertime energy efficiency, but the trade off is less light during the day.
With that said, if energy efficiency is your top priority for your wood or faux wood blinds, then following this plan will result in energy savings.
We would love to work with you on your wood or faux wood blind project. Also, please be sure to check out our online wood and faux wood blind cost estimator.
Before the latest innovations in glass, films, and coatings, over the last decade, a typical residential window with one or two layers of glazing allowed roughly 75- 85% of the solar energy to enter the home. During the summer, sunny windows make your air conditioner work two to three times harder. This has a negative impact on summertime comfort and cooling bills, especially in hot climates.
But turning down the thermostat or agonizing over R-value statistics is not the answer. R-values and shading coefficients are confusing and hard to understand. We try to help our customers make good buying decisions by evaluating a window coverings energy efficiency based on the products material makeup, basic construction,
and proper usage.
The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy says that horizontal blinds transmit 5%, reflect 40% to 60%, and absorb 35% to 55% of radiant energy. Horizontal blinds are not be the most energy efficient window covering available, but when used correctly they can help in conserving electricity.
To maximize the energy efficiency of your wood or faux wood blinds think about following the rising and setting of the sun. During the summer season, horizontal blinds should be tilted completely closed in the upward direction, especially when direct sun is on your windows. You will want to be sure to adjust your blinds through-out the day to keep those direct sun windows tilted closed in the upward direction. Once the sun sets, blinds can be adjusted to let the remaining light in until privacy is needed.
In fact, you might consider just tilting the all your wood or faux wood blinds up in the closed position during the hottest hours of the day. This will do the most for summertime energy efficiency, but the trade off is less light during the day.
With that said, if energy efficiency is your top priority for your wood or faux wood blinds, then following this plan will result in energy savings.
We would love to work with you on your wood or faux wood blind project. Also, please be sure to check out our online wood and faux wood blind cost estimator.
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