We install windows in our homes to allow as much air and light to get into the room. Also, the windows should give you an excellent view of things that happen outside the house.
However, sometimes, the windows can be a source of increased energy bills, especially where it aids in transferring heat from the house to the outer world through the windows. This is where energy-saving curtains come in.
Curtains save energy by reducing heat transfer from the inside of the room to the outer spaces. They do this by confining the heat within the room during cold weather. It reduces energy usage and lowers energy bills.
But not all curtains will enable you to save energy. The material used and the design of the curtains are the most critical aspects. Also, how the curtains are installed is vital in determining the amount of energy you save.
Read on and find out how curtains can help you save energy.
How Are Energy-Saving Curtains Made?
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You can make energy-saving curtains with several layers of fabrics woven together with a lining that prevents heat transfer from the house. The curtains feature four layers, with an outer layer that reflects the heat outside in summer while the inside layer helps to keep the heat inside in winter.
Also, curtains feature a core layer made of high-density materials that include cotton battling felt and foam which is all thermal resistant.
The inner layer that faces the room should be well decorated and comprise fabric that is tightly woven to stop the transmission of heat to the outdoors.
The curtains may also feature a fourth vapor-resistant layer to protect your curtain from condensation and moisture.
How Do The Curtains Save Energy?
Windows bring in a lot of energy during summer and result in excessive loss of energy during winter. But installing a curtain in the windows will help to prevent heat loss during winter and heat gain during summer.
Curtains provide a barrier to heat and cool air. It does this by creating the dead air space in between the window and the fabric.
The standard fabric will cut heat loss by 10%. It creates air pockets that enhance thermal effectiveness.
The light-colored side reflects light in summer and prevents heat from getting into the house.
The densely woven fabric will stop the heat from penetrating, while the tight weaves make it difficult for heat to penetrate and so it enhances thermal effectiveness.
What Do Energy-Efficient Curtains Look Like?
Energy-efficient curtains are thick with no gaps around the edges. They touch the floor and stop the light from getting in or out of the house.
If paired with pelmets, they prevent hot air from touching the glass and make the room feel more effective. They feature pelmets that stop the hot air from rising to the top of the curtain to contact the cold glass and cool down. If the air is allowed to touch the glass, it cools down and gets back into the room to make it feel colder.
How Do You Make Curtains Energy Efficient?
One thing you must do to make the curtains energy efficient includes selecting good materials like cotton and ensuring that it is weaved tightly. Having a higher thread count in the weaving makes it better and will reduce the amount of heat or light that can penetrate the window.
If you are making the curtains at home, you may use an old-lined bed sheet, blankets, and comforters to weave energy-efficient curtains.
If you want to make the drapes more energy efficient, you may need to insulate the window to help reduce heat loss. You can also use inexpensive lining or batting materials and cut them to sizes that fit over your window.
It helps to keep the cost of energy down while keeping light and heat away from the windows. Sometimes, you can use bubble wrap to keep the light away.
Do Curtains Play Any Role In Keeping The Heat Out During Summer And In During Winter?
By using thick curtains, you will protect your house from losing heat via the window. If the curtains feature thermal lining, it reflects the light and so keeps the heat out.
During summer, no one wants more energy into the house. So, using curtains with a white lining is important since it reflects the outside light and keeps the heat out.
Make use of light curtains- they are ideal during summer. It reduces the need to use artificial lighting, which further heats the home. Fabrics such as linen and cotton will blend well to create a see-through curtain that allows the sunlight to penetrate the home.
Can You Use Curtains To Keep The Rooms Facing The Sun Cool?
You can keep the rooms facing the sun cool by simply using curtains, drapes, and blinds. They help to control the amount of light that enters the room. But to get the best results, it may require that you keep them closed when it is hot.
Also, if the room receives a lot of light, it gets warm and may require your cooling system to work harder to keep it cool. Closing the windows helps to block the sun’s rays and the light from getting into the room.
If you combine them with window treatment, you completely block the light from getting into the house to make it energy efficient.
Which Is More Efficient- Curtains Or Blinds?
When considering energy efficiency, blinds are better compared to curtains because they can help decrease indoor heat in summer.
This is important in helping to lower the AC bills. But blinds are expensive and may take a bit of your time to install. However, they have a sleek and hard surface that allows you to install them easily.
Do Insulated Curtains Work?
If you are considering enhancing energy efficiency in your office or home, thermal curtains can help. Studies show that 30 percent of the heat loss from all buildings takes place through the windows.
Also, it is through the same window that the house gains a lot of heat during summer. So, using insulated curtains can help reduce heat loss and regulate heat gains during summer.
It results in higher utility bills.
Therefore, thermal curtains will reduce gain by 33% while reducing heat loss by 25%. They feature materials with high thermal resistance which do not easily transmit heat.
Also, the thermal curtains feature three layers of material that further reduce the rate of heat transmission.
Typically, thermal curtains will feature cotton lining, foam, and a reflective lining designed to reflect any light that strikes it.
The backing may also be made of reflective film or vinyl to reflect away the energy. Also, some thermal curtains feature a fourth layer that stops vapor from penetrating the curtain.
Note that thermal curtains thus work by creating dead air space between the room and the window. It reduces the amount of air that transfers heat from the house to outer space and vice versa.
For instance, in summer, the reflective limning disperses the heat back to the outside. The tight seal will then limit the amount of heat that escapes via the window, affecting the amount of air circulating in the room.
How Should One Install The Thermal Curtains?
Installing thermal curtains properly is a prerequisite if you want them to be effective. It makes them air-tight and helps to reduce heat transfer.
The best way to go about this is to ensure that the curtains are installed closer to the window frame.
It seals both the bottom and top and creates a seal that effectively reduces the transmission of heat.
To get the best results, ensure to secure the curtain to the hooks or frame. Allow them to overlap generously to prevent any warm air from infiltrating and flow out of the window.
You may use two layers of the thermal curtain to enhance the dead air space and reduce the amount of light that gets into the room.
In winter, you may need to open the curtains so that the windows receive sunshine and allow air to circulate inside the room. By doing so, you reduce the amount of hot air in the room to cool it further.
But you must install a light-colored curtain during summer to enhance the rate of heat reflection and radiation. Also, ensure that the east-west facing curtains which receive most of the sunlight are appropriate depending on the season.
All types of curtains can help block light from getting into the house and reduce the air circulating in the room. It helps to regulate the amount of heat getting into and out of the room.
The blackout curtains prevent light from penetrating the room and may feature a lining to reflect the heat and check the rate at which sunlight gets into the house.
