The cost of living is rising—here’s how blinds and shades can help lower your energy bill
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It’s no secret that the cost of living is rising, and many are feeling the impact of high rents, food costs and gas prices. Renters and homeowners are also seeing higher energy bills as they attempt to heat and cool their homes. While it may seem like cutting costs is nearly impossible in today’s economy, investing in the best blinds, curtains or shades can lower your energy bill and keep a few extra bucks in your pocket each month.
Maintaining the right temperature in your home doesn’t always have to drown your bank account, and using high-quality blinds can lessen the need to turn on your heat or AC. Keep reading to find out how to use blinds, curtains and shades to save you money.
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How do blinds save you money?
Getting window treatments for your space can make all the difference in lowering your energy bill—they keep the temperatures down during hotter months by blocking out the sun and keeping you cool indoors. During the colder seasons, blinds can add an extra layer of insulation to reduce heat loss and prevent you from constantly running the heat.
What saves the most money: blinds, curtains or shades?
While curtains are effective in blocking out the sun and keeping heat locked in, especially blackout curtains, blinds and shades tend to be the most energy-efficient and cost-effective. Blinds and shades are great at reflecting sunlight, and investing in options like smart blinds can allow you to control the amount of light coming in at the touch of a button.
If you’re leaning towards buying shades instead of blinds, cellular shades may be the best option. They have a honeycomb structure that’s meant to provide top-notch insulation to regulate the temperature in your home, so you can save energy and limit your AC and heat usage.
What material of blinds should you buy?
Blinds come in many different materials, and it’s important to choose the right one for your windows and needs. There are several things to consider when shopping for blinds like durability, lighting, maintenance and sustainability, and the blinds’ material can impact each of these categories.
Some of the best and most popular blind materials are made of wood, faux wood, vinyl, metal, fabric, linen and bamboo. If your main concern is durability and you’re looking for blinds that’ll last the longest, then you may want to opt for wood or faux wood. Fabric blinds offer the most versatility and allow you to customize your light and insulation options. If sustainability is your main concern, bamboo blinds are an eco-friendly choice.
How much money can blinds save you?
The amount of energy and money blinds save depends on the type of blinds you choose for your windows, but in a study done by the British Blind and Shutter Association (BBSA), data showed that blinds and shutters can have a significant, positive impact on energy savings, reducing heat loss through windows by up to 33 percent.
Cost-efficient blinds, curtains and shades
For durable, high-quality blinds that’ll save you money on your energy bill, Blinds.com is a great place to browse for blinds of all different materials. The site offers custom blinds, shades, shutters and draperies, along with measuring insurance and in-home measure and installation services.
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This article originally appeared on Reviewed: The cost of living is rising—how to use blinds and shades to save money
