Awnings and blinds not only make your home look great, they can also help you save energy – and money!

In homes, energy-saving benefits can be achieved year-round. During winter, by helping to prevent heat loss through windows. In the summer, by reducing the need for air-conditioning. These benefits can be achieved whilst helping to create a comfortable living environment.

The energy-saving benefits of awnings and blinds will vary depending on many factors. These include the type and amount of glazing and of window coverings or shading, and what cooling or heating systems are used, as well as the costs of your energy bills and the location of your property. So, there are many factors to take into account.

Blinds and awnings act as an extra layer of insulation for windows, helping to reduce the loss of heat, saving energy and money whilst helping to keep your house comfortably warm. Research conducted by Glasgow’s Caledonian University has shown that a reflective roller blind is as effective as a pair of curtains in reducing heat loss on single glazed windows. Both reduced the amount of heat lost by 40% !

It’s all to do with U-values. The lower the U-value, the slower the heat loss through the material. So a material with a low U-value is a good insulator. Even with modern coated glazing, designed to retain heat in the winter, blinds and shutters can still offer an improvement in U-value.

Source: BLIND MANUFACTURERS’ ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA