5 Tips For Maintaining Energy Efficient Windows

Installing new window blinds or shades from Valley Shades is one of the most effective, easy and affordable ways to update your home’s interior decor. They provide style, beauty, light filtering, and privacy.

But did you know that blinds and shades can also reduce energy loss through windows, lowering your heating and cooling bills?

30% Of Home Energy Is Lost Through Windows

According to the US Department of Energy, during the winter season, about 30% of a home’s heating energy is lost through its windows. And during hotter months, about 76% of the sunlight that falls on standard double-pane windows enters to become unwanted heat.

The right window coverings take advantage of the sun in either season. In winter, you can keep your blinds open throughout the day to take advantage of heat from the sun. In summer, you can close or partially close the blinds or shades to reduce unwanted heat gain.

Choosing The Right Window Covering For Energy Savings

Windows blinds and shades are beautiful, functional window coverings that each come in a variety of materials, colors, styles, and options.

While window blinds are quite effective at reducing summer heat and keeping your home cool, they are less effective at keeping your home warm in the winter. That’s because the gaps between slats make it difficult to control heat loss. Those same slats, however, offer a lot of flexibility in the summer months, since you can adjust them as needed to control light streams, glare and heat gain. After all, when fully lowered and closed during the summer, highly reflective blinds can reduce your home’s heat gain.

If you’re looking to keep your home warmer in winter, insulated cellular (or honeycomb) shades are a clear winner. They are made of pleated materials that resemble honeycombs or hexagonal interior pockets, and when raised, they fold upon one another like an accordion. During the winter, tightly installed cellular shades can reduce heat loss through windows by 40% or more, saving as much as 20% on heating bills! And during the summer, cellular shades can reduce unwanted solar heat through windows by up to 80%.
If you’re looking to keep your home warmer in winter, insulated cellular (or honeycomb) shades are a clear winner. They are made of pleated materials that resemble honeycombs or hexagonal interior pockets, and when raised, they fold upon one another like an accordion. During the winter, tightly installed cellular shades can reduce heat loss through windows by 40% or more, saving as much as 20% on heating bills! And during the summer, cellular shades can reduce unwanted solar heat through windows by up to 80%.
If you have a room that tends to stay too warm (for example, an upstairs or attic room) then solar screens may be your best bet. These specialty screens are placed on the outside of your window and work to filter the light before it reaches your window pane. This barrier prevents unwanted heat from entering the room, keeping things cooler. This is an effective way to fend off heat during the summer, and the screens can easily be removed during the winter to allow heat gain.

Ensure A Great Window Blind or Shade Installation

While window blinds and shades can be incredibly helpful at reducing heating and cooling costs, they won’t get you as far if they are not installed correctly.

The proper installment is important in getting the most bang for your buck. Your installer should mount the shades as close to the window glass as possible and flush against the connecting wall, creating a tight seal that minimizes both heat gain and loss. Shades with dual layers of fabric (a light color on one side and a darker color on the other) add more functionality.

Pro tip: if your shades are reversible, try flipping them around based on the season. Place the light color outward during summer to reflect heat, and inward during the winter to absorb and retain it.

The professionals at Valley Shades are experts at measuring your windows and installing the correct window blinds and shades for maximum energy efficiency.

Window Blinds From Valley Shades

When you choose to order window blinds from Valley Shades, you’ll not only enjoy increased energy efficiency, but you’ll have a wide variety of gorgeous and affordable options to choose from.
Want something natural, warm, and inviting? Opt for our wood blinds, which are sourced from 100% North American hardwoods from certified and domestic forests, so you know you’re doing your part in helping sustain our natural resources. Or, go with our sustainable bamboo blinds for a similar look and feel.

If budget is a determining factor, faux wood blinds bring home the timeless appeal of genuine wood blinds, and at an attractive price. From durable, moisture-resistant composite blinds that embrace practicality in bathrooms and other high-humidity rooms, to teak faux wood blinds for that spot-on styling accent, faux wood blinds set the standard when durability and fashion count most.

Want something natural, warm, and inviting? Opt for our wood blinds, which are sourced from 100% North American hardwoods from certified and domestic forests, so you know you’re doing your part in helping sustain our natural resources. Or, go with our sustainable bamboo blinds for a similar look and feel.

If budget is a determining factor, faux wood blinds bring home the timeless appeal of genuine wood blinds, and at an attractive price. From durable, moisture-resistant composite blinds that embrace practicality in bathrooms and other high-humidity rooms, to teak faux wood blinds for that spot-on styling accent, faux wood blinds set the standard when durability and fashion count most.

Looking for style-forward blinds with lots of decor options? Our exclusive collection of fabric blinds add a fashionable flair to any room and offer durable, easy-care, fabrics in the latest colors and weaves. When open, a choice of opacities let fabric blinds provide soft, filtered light from the outside, and when closed offer welcome room darkening and privacy. Our fabrics are even treated with a special topcoat designed to repel dust and dirt, making them durable and easy to maintain.

For moisture resistance, durability, and energy efficiency, composite blinds from Valley Shades are an ideal solution. Their real-wood look adds luster-rich, timeless styling, and our advanced UVA inhibitors help prevent warping and yellowing with age.

We also offer vinyl, aluminum, cordless and motorized blinds, so we have something for every home and every budget!

Window Shades From Valley Shades

If you’re opting for window shades, Valley Shades has everything you need to find the perfect fit for your home.

For maintaining your view while reducing glare and harmful UV rays, solar shades are a great solution.

As mentioned, our pleated, cellular shades offer a stylish and modern appearance while touting outstanding insulation properties. Their small honeycomb-shaped pockets or “cells” keep air from escaping or entering your home to enhance your room’s energy efficiency. We offer a wide range of opacity choices, from transparent or light-filtering to room-darkening, allowing you to customize natural light as you desire. And a vast selection of the latest fabrics and colors ensure a perfect match with your home décor.

We also have an impressive selection of bamboo shades and woven wood shades if you prefer a simple, clean and natural look.

5 Tips For Maintaining Energy Efficient Windows

No matter what type of window blinds or shades you choose, follow these five tips below to increase the energy efficiency in your home:

1. Make sure doors and windows are properly weather-stripped
2. Caulk around basement windows and storm windows
3. When heating or cooling, keep windows locked to maintain a tight seal
4. Open your window coverings during sunny winter days to welcome solar heat, then close them at night to keep it in
5. Tightly close your window coverings during hot summer days to keep the heat out

Schedule A Free Consultation Today!

Ready to optimize your home’s energy efficiency with beautiful, stylish, and affordable window blinds or shades? Contact Valley Shades to schedule a free, in-home consultation! Give us a call at (503) 489-8321 or request a consultation.

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