How do you save money on blinds?
- Install them yourself. Rather than paying someone to install your blinds, do the work yourself.
- Opt for faux wood or plastic. The material you select for your blinds can have a huge impact on their final cost.
- Make your own blinds.
- Get creative about odd-sized windows.
- Invest in energy efficient blinds.
Does closing blinds save money?
Closing window blinds can also save energy in the winter. During cold winter nights, heat is lost through windows. Closing the blinds adds some insulation to the windows, reducing heat loss during cold periods. Some blinds also reflect heat back into the room.
Do blinds lower electric bill?
Do window coverings save energy? The short answer is yes! The right window coverings can help keep unwanted heat out of your home in the summer by blocking light and sun heat. This can reduce your energy costs by as much as 25 percent!
What is the cheapest option for blinds?
5 Cheap Blinds That Are Stylish, Not SpendyAluminium Venetian Blinds. Aluminium venetian blinds are made up of thin slats, generally around 25mm wide, that hang from a headrail on a cord. ... Roller Blinds. ... Vertical Blinds. ... Faux Wood Blinds. ... Roman Blinds.
How much money do blinds save?
When completely closed, highly reflective blinds can reduce heat gain by around 45 percent, says the DOE. They can also be adjusted to block and reflect direct sunlight onto a light-colored ceiling, which diffuses the light without much heat or glare.
Do blinds help with energy cost?
About 30% of a home's heating energy is lost through windows. In cooling seasons, about 76% of sunlight that falls on standard double-pane windows enters to become heat. Window coverings can help with this energy loss and lowering energy bills.
Does closing curtains save energy?
Closing curtains at night can reduce heat loss by up to 17 percent. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, using curtains with thermal lining can reduce heat loss by up to 25 percent. Using curtains with white plastic backings can reduce heat gain by up to 33 percent.
What are the least expensive window treatments?
Blinds are generally the cheapest choice and are considered “hard” treatments because they're made of metal or wood and arranged in slats. Stock vinyl and aluminum mini-blinds cost as little as $5 for a 2-by-4-foot window, making them a popular choice for rental apartments.
What are alternatives to blinds?
Roller Shades. Contemporary and stylish, roller shades are a simple way to set the tone of any room. ... Solar Shades. Solar shades are sleek, modern, and stunning in homes and offices alike. ... Cellular Shades. ... Vertical Cellular Shades. ... Transitional Shades. ... Roman Shades. ... View All Shades.
Are blinds cheaper than curtains?
Blinds tend to be cheaper than curtains, so are a popular choice for anyone on a budget. But that doesn't mean blinds can't also be aesthetically pleasing. In many cases, blinds are a better choice than curtains, particularly if they are to go in a small room.
Why you shouldn't close your blinds during the day?
Bacteria was more apt to be alive and reproduce in dark rooms—about 12 percent more on average. However, in rooms where bacteria was exposed to daylight, only 6.8 percent was viable and where it was exposed to UV light, only 6.1 percent was viable.
Should you keep blinds closed in winter?
In the winter, if you have south-facing windows, let the light shine in. The sun will help heat your home naturally, which takes some pressure off your furnace. For other windows, keep blinds and curtains close during the winter to keep heat inside your home. You must be signed in to do this.
Should you keep blinds closed in summer?
Close your blinds and curtains. Keeping your blinds closed during the day will reflect a surprising amount of heat radiating in through windows, especially during the time of day when the sun's rays shine directly on your home.
Why do you need blinds over curtains?
When it comes to window coverings , there are plenty of reasons to pick blinds over curtains. Chief among these is cost efficiency. A good set of blinds saves you money on your utility bill year-round. Keep reading to find out what you need to know about blinds and reduced energy consumption.
Why do you need to keep blinds closed?
Keeping blinds closed during the day prevents sunlight from heating the room when your AC is on.
What are window blinds made of?
What are window blinds? Blinds are window coverings made of vertical or horizontal slats. They’re made with materials like PVC, plastic, polyester, wood, and can be moved and adjusted without much trouble. Besides being decorative, they’re functional in controlling light and ensuring privacy.
Why do blinds need to be opened in the evening?
When it cools down in the evening, opening the blinds allows heat to flood the room. This extra heat keeps the room warmer and delays having to crank your thermostat. Increases efficiency (when used properly) Blinds can save even more energy when opened at proper times.
Why is it important to buy window treatments?
Purchasing high-quality window treatments is an inexpensive way to make your use of home energy efficient. Window blinds are durable, and maintaining them is easier than other window treatments. They’re also a great way to reduce your carbon footprint.
What are the advantages of vertical blinds?
Roman blinds. Roller blinds. One of their most noteworthy advantages is making your home more energy efficient. No matter the type you choose, you can rest assured knowing they will lower both your cooling and heating costs.
When is the best time to open blinds?
Knowing the best time to open and close your blinds plays a huge part in saving energy. As mentioned, sunny winter days are an excellent time to take advantage of passive solar heating to warm your home. This is especially beneficial for rooms with floor-to-ceiling glass windows which are great at absorbing heat.
Awnings
Window awnings can reduce solar heat gain by up to 65 percent on south-facing windows and 77 percent on west-facing windows, according to the DOE. For best results, choose awnings in light colors that reflect more sunlight. In the winter, you can roll up retractable awnings to let the sun warm your house.
Curtains and Drapes
On summer days, keep your curtains closed. "Particularly on the side of the house or apartment where the sun is coming in," says Allan Drury, a spokesman for Con Edison, the New York energy company.
Shades
When properly installed, window shades are one of the simplest and most effective ways to save energy, but they need to be drawn all day to work. Mount them as close to the glass as possible within the window frame, creating a sealed space.
Blinds
Because of the horizontal slats, it's difficult to control heat loss through interior window blinds, although they do offer some flexibility. Unlike shades, you can adjust the slats to control light and ventilation. When completely closed, highly reflective blinds can reduce heat gain by around 45 percent, says the DOE.
Reflective Film
Window film is best for homes in regions with long cooling seasons. Silver mirrorlike film is typically more effective than colored, more transparent film, and east- and west-facing windows benefit most because of their greater potential for heat gain. Keep in mind that reflective film is tricky to clean and, obviously, may affect your view.
If You Really Need AC
You should also take the heat of the sun into consideration when installing a window air conditioner. If you place the unit in a window that gets direct sunlight during the hottest part of the day, it will have to work harder to keep you cool. And that'll cost you.
