Blinds and shutters are very popular window dressings for Australian homeowners – attractive, convenient, effective and affordable. They can also add a truly unique look to a room, as they come in a variety of different styles, materials and colours or finishes to suit your home.
However, did you know that a good set of blinds or shutters can also save you money on your energy bills?
Your Blinds and Shutters Help Insulate Your Home
Blinds or plantation shutters in Sydney insulate your home, meaning you’ll use your air conditioning and heating systems less. This will save you money on your electricity and energy bills, making them a great long-term investment for your home.
Choosing Blinds with Energy Conservation in Mind
Many people make the mistake of thinking that blinds are a one-size-fits-all type of item when there’s actually quite a lot of variety available out there. Some styles are made specifically with energy conservation in mind.
This is especially the case when it comes to our hot Sydney Summer temperatures and cold Winters, but it’s important to note that blinds can help you save energy and keep your energy costs low all year round, making them one of the most practical possible choices when it comes to modern options in window coverings.
How to Maximise Your Blinds and Shutters to Save Money
If you’re in the habit of keeping your windows uncovered, the exposed glass can make it extremely difficult to keep your home effectively temperature controlled. Untreated windows – windows without shutters, curtains or blinds – will allow 20 times more heat into your room.
In the Winter time, precious heat escapes through glass, causing you to have to run your heaters more often and for longer at a time to keep warm. In the Summer, glass can also magnify the heat of natural sunlight as it enters the window.
Blinds and shutters help provide a barrier between your window glass and the interior of your actual home. This allows you to have the control necessary to turn the science behind glass-related temperature changes into an asset, instead of an inconvenience. In fact, blinds – when used properly – can save you up to 25% on your power costs!
With Your Air Conditioning
When you do need to put on the air con in order to keep cool, you should always make sure to close your blinds first. This helps prevent the hot Summer sunlight from penetrating your window glass and counteracting the cooling effects of your air conditioning. You’ll quickly find that you won’t need to run your air conditioning as long or as often when you do this, resulting in drastically lowered power bills.
With Your Heating System
Closing your blinds in the Winter helps you insulate your windows against the cold air outside, preventing heat loss and allowing you to minimise the amount you run your heater. Take extra care to make sure all of your blinds are closed at night, as this is when the greatest degree of heat loss tends to occur.
Knowing when to open your blinds can also be incredibly helpful when it comes to saving energy. Sunny Winter days are excellent examples, as you can take advantage of passive solar heating to help warm up your home.
By maximising your blinds and lowering your cooling and heating use, you’ll not just be saving money on your energy bills – you’ll be doing your bit for the environment too.
EcoShade Solutions have a range of attractive and affordable blinds and plantation shutters to help you save on energy bills and keep your interior cool this hot Sydney Summer.
