The good news is, reducing energy consumption for climate control may be easier than you think. No doubt you are familiar with the ongoing (and sometimes surprising) costs of energy to heat or cool your home, be it gas or electricity or even wood for your fire.

Now, consider the option of one single up-front cost to install blinds or curtains to manage the fluctuating temperatures in your home.

Studies suggest that medium-coloured curtains or blinds with white reflective backings can reduce heat gains during summer by up to 32%, especially when they are positioned on eastern, northern, and western facing windows.

Additionally, curtains and blinds also offer the benefit of insulation, particularly during winter, reducing heat loss from a warm room by up to 10%. When suitably fitted, they also block drafts which may enter around the seals of your windows.

When considering climate control for your windows, here are items which you should consider:

• • The size of your windowpanes.

• • The orientation of your window. North facing windows will let the most warmth in during summer, with eastern offering morning sun and western the afternoon sun. South facing windows are where heat will escape, especially during winter.

• • Whether you have eaves, pergolas, a sunroom, external awning or veranda directly outside your window.

• • The seals around your windows and whether they are inclined to allow drafts into your home.

When choosing your window covering, it is helpful to know the benefits each style has to offer:

• • Block out curtains or blinds with a white reflective backing offer good thermal and light control.

• • Framed honeycomb blinds are one of the top thermal performers, saving up to 32% of heat loss through windows.

• • Louvered and slatted horizonal blinds will offer the option of adjusting the slats to control glare, light and solar heat gain, however not as effective as blinds or curtains.

• • Sheer curtains alone will not provide thermal protection. To add thermal control, you would include separate blind or curtain to the window ensemble. Alternatively, for a more cost-effective solution you may choose to add an additional lining on a separate track, behind the sheer drape to benefit from both styles.

• • The colour, fabric type and weave of your curtains and blinds can also affect its ability to reduce heat loss or gain.

• • When choosing fabrics remember: the more light filtered through your window, the less effective the thermal control.

With so many curtain & blind options on offer for all kinds of budgets, reach out to the local team at Thornton & Blake & benefit from the support of our knowledgeable & skilled Interior Designers with a free in-home check measure & quote.