The rising costs of living and an increase in Australians placing a greater emphasis on energy conservation have propelled households to look at ways to reduce energy consumption. Turning down thermostats or turning off heating when leaving a room can be effective when trying to keep your home warm; however, maximising insulation is one of the most effective ways to control a home’s comfort.
“Insulation is key to maintaining room temperatures and a few small changes can help your home be more energy efficient,” says Vera Meharg, Group Marketing Manager, Luxaflex® Window Fashions. Up to 40%[1] of a home’s heating energy can be lost through uncovered windows, making window coverings an important consideration for households wanting to reduce their energy consumption. “The right window coverings work to reduce the energy demand of a home, which is the most direct way to lower energy bills as well as helping to meet climate change targets.”
Whether you’re building a new home, renovating, or simply making some cosmetic updates, it’s important to think about the role that window coverings can play in helping to passively heat a home.
“The role of window coverings goes beyond aesthetics. Recognising which types of window shades are insulating, sustainable and beneficial for long term use will assist when making window covering decisions, and can reduce heating costs,” says Meharg.
To deliver the most efficient benefits and reduce the need for traditional heating methods, window furnishings need to be functional and easy to use, particularly if a home has a lot of windows. To overcome problems with existing windows, window furnishings such as blinds and shutters can be an effective way to enhance performance. Aspects to take into consideration include the size of the room, the light control needed, placement and style of furniture, and the size and direction of the window you are dressing, as well as the insulation required.
Best window dressing options for retaining heat
Honeycomb blinds are one of the best choices in window treatments for retaining heat inside the home. Luxaflex Duette® Architella® shades are the most innovative honeycomb shades in Australia and combine style and function with a contemporary look. “The shades are specifically engineered with honeycomb-shaped air pockets that trap air inside, helping moderate temperature and reduce heat loss in winter when they are closed,” Meharg says. These distinct air pockets can reduce the heat transfer through a window, reducing the average home’s heating costs by up to 43%[2] and making them the most energy efficient window coverings on the Australian market.
As well as preventing heat from escaping, insulating window coverings can help regulate the varying temperatures of the day. “In winter letting in the sunlight will provide radiant warmth from the sun to warm the room; however, you want to provide an insulative covering at night to prevent the heat loss through the windows,” continues Meharg.
Innovative and intelligent shades
As technology advances, home automation systems can easily be incorporated into our lifestyle, using such artificial intelligence as Luxaflex PowerView® automation, which is compatible with Apple HomeKit®, Google® Assistant and Amazon® Alexa®. “Partnering such products as Luxaflex Duette shades with PowerView automation can see homeowners take a strategic approach to cost-saving, pre-programming their blinds to function depending on the time of day and the strength of the sun, such as closing whilst you’re at work to keep the heat locked in for those cooler times,” says Meharg.
Control solar energy
Shutters are a great choice for window coverings; being completely adjustable, they allow you to fully control the solar energy entering your windows and doors. Luxaflex PolySatin® shutters are an elegant choice – made from a polyresin compound, they are a modern alternative to the traditional wooden shutters.
In winter, the shutters can reflect inbound solar rays into your home, and are also ideal for the summer months, reducing the amount of heat entering your home by 20 to 58%[3].
In addition to contributing significantly to reducing energy consumption and promoting sustainable living practices in homes, window furnishings can contribute to sound insulation, privacy, and light control, greatly improving comfort levels for those living in the home.
References:
[1] http://www.yourhome.gov.au/passive-design/glazing
[2] Savings are based on the installation of fully-recessed, reveal-mounted Luxaflex Duette Architella shades with 20mm blockout fabric in an average home in Sydney, compared with the House Energy Rating standard of Holland Blinds from AccuRate in that home. These calculations have been modelled by an independent third party. Savings will vary based on the window type and installation.
[3] Independent tests show that Luxaflex PolySatin shutters can reduce ‘heat flux’ by 20-58% depending on the degree of air exchange between the window and the shutter panel.
