Reduce Your Energy Costs with Window Treatments

Window treatments provide privacy, light control and add a decorative element to a room's design scheme. They also add an insulation value to your windows. Windows are a source for energy loss through loss of heated or cooled air, and through transference of heat or cold from outside the house. Choose from several available options to help reduce your energy bill throughout the year.

Curtains and Drapery

Lightweight curtain or drapery panels, such as cotton or linen, provide little insulation against energy loss. The material is porous and such treatments are often hung in such a way as to leave a gap between the panels and the window. To offset this loss, use lined panels and hang them flush to the window framework. For a more efficient window treatment, though, choose thermal drapery or shades.

Thermal Window Treatments

Window treatments in which insulating material, such as fiber, plastics or wood by-product, is sandwiched and sealed between two pieces of fabric to create a quilted effect are considered thermal. Thermal applications are seen in drapery and curtain panels, as well as roman shades.

Solar Roller Shades

Roller shades provide some degree of insulation when hung within the framework of the window, close to the glass. Solar roller shades, however, offer a higher resistance to heat. Made of a fine mesh, solar shades repel heat as it passes through the window, thereby reflecting it back out, away from the interior. Solar roller shades are only effective as an energy saving option in the summer, and only when in the lowered position.

Cellular Shades
Touted as one of the more energy efficient styles of window treatments, cellular shades resemble honeycombs. The air space within the honeycombs acts as a barrier, circulating heat or cold from the window away from the interior of the room back toward the window. Made from woven fabric, the interior of the "honeycomb" may be lined with a thin layer of foil, furthering the insulating value. Both solar roller shades and unlined cellular shades have a light filtering quality, meaning when in the lowered position, sunlight does filter through, but heat and/or cold is blocked. Lined cellular shades block light as well, providing a black-out effect.

Effective Use of Window Treatments

Window treatments are most effective as insulation if the window it covers also reduces energy loss. A well-fitted double or triple paned window optimizes the overall energy efficiency of your home. Adding a window treatment to an ill-fitting window with little to no weather stripping will have a smaller impact on your energy savings.