 | ||
| Your browser is not supported. | ||
|
Please browse our site using any of the following options:
| ||
The Most Energy Efficient Window Coverings to Help Reduce Your Power Bill
The chilly winter air is painful enough as it is, but throw in the high power bills throughout the season and the bite of the cold weather is that little bit harsher. Most Aussie homes are losing heat through their windows without even realising it. Windows can account for a significant amount of heat loss, making them one of the biggest culprits behind expensive energy bills. At Spotlight, we're here to help! With a wide range of curtains and blinds, you can prepare your home for the chill of winter, all while working to reduce the cost of your energy bills. In this guide, we'll take you through practical advice for choosing the right window coverings to stay warm and cut energy costs.
Why Windows Are the Biggest Drain on Your Home's Heat
In winter, heat can escape from your home by moving through the glass of your window pane. Unlike insulated walls that help to trap air pockets that slow down heat transfer, single-pane glass loses heat much faster due to its highly conductive material. Window coverings offer a practical, affordable way to improve a window's thermal performance without replacing the glass.
What Are the Most Energy-Efficient Window Coverings?
At Spotlight, you can shop from a wide range of window coverings that help you increase your energy efficiency this winter:
Trap Heat With Cellular Blinds
Cellular blinds, also known as honeycomb blinds, are a top performer when it comes to energy efficient window coverings. The cell structure of these blinds works to trap warm air inside your home, effectively helping to insulate your space. You'll often come across single cell and double cell constructions. While single cell blinds offer greater affordability, double cell blinds are able to provide better thermal performance, achieving superior thermal insulation.
Enjoy Full Coverage With Thermal Curtains
Lined curtains, such as thermal curtains or blockout curtains, are next when it comes to energy efficient window dressings. A floor-to-ceiling installation of these curtains ensures greater coverage of your windows, ensuring the glass of your window is completely covered.
Thermal Benefits of Thick Fabrication of Roman Blinds
Roman blinds are another good option for winter. The heavier fabrics paired with installation closer to your window will help improve the thermal value of these blinds.
Seal in the Heat With Plantation Shutters
Plantation shutters are another great option and when installed with a tight reveal fit with a frame and seal, these window coverings perform better than a loose installation. The colour and material of plantation shutters also affect the energy efficiency of these blinds. For instance, black plantation shutters absorb more light than lighter tones, helping to keep your rooms nice and warm.
Easy to Install and Modern Blockout Roller Blinds
Blockout roller blinds or roller blinds made with foam-backed fabrics outperform sheer fabrics. When installed with a cassette or channel system, you can reduce edge gaps that occur within your window architrave.
Venetian/louvred blinds are less effective in winter due to gaps between slats, but are useful for summer heat control.
Does Fitting Really Make That Much Difference?
The fitting of your window dressings makes a substantial difference in the performance of your window dressings. There are many ways you can improve the energy efficiency of your window dressings through installation. Installing additional accessories, such as pelmets that are designed to help prevent warm air from circulating behind the top of a blind or curtain. You can also install cover cassette or channel systems for roller blinds to reduce gaps that often let unwanted sunlight or the cold weather chill into your space.
In addition to accessories, the positioning of your window dressings is also integral to the energy efficiency of your window coverings. A recess fit, where your window dressings are installed within your architrave, you can layer your window dressings for excellent efficiency, while a face fit, where your window dressings are installed outside the window architrave, you can enjoy maximised light blocking and privacy benefits. As for curtains, we recommend installing a floor to ceiling drop, as stopping your curtains at the window sill will result in a greater loss of heat than curtains that fall to the floor.
At Spotlight, we also offer a made to measure service to help take the guesswork and planning out of determining the perfect fit for your windows. Book in a free measure and quote today!
Does Colour Change How Well Your Window Covering Insulates?
In addition to the fabric of your window dressings, colour also plays a role in thermal performance. Light colours reflect more radiant heat while darker colours absorb more light. For winter warmth, the priority is trapping heat inside rather than reflecting it, so the weight and fit of your fabric are more integral than the colour for insulation. On the other hand, colour matters most in summer, where heat rejection is a priority. During the warmer months, white and cream outperform darker tones significantly. When shopping for curtains and blinds, consider the overall goal of your window dressings to help determine which colour tone is best for your home.
Are Blinds or Curtains Better for Keeping the Heat In?
Blinds and curtains are available in a range of fabrics, colours and sizes, often making finding the right window coverings for your home challenging. While honeycomb cellular blinds outperform most standard unlined curtains for insulation alone, lined, floor-to-ceiling curtains with a pelmet rival the performance of other blinds. To achieve ultimate energy efficiency in your window coverings, we recommend layering your curtains and blinds, maximising the privacy and insulation benefits each component brings to your home. In shopping for your curtains and blinds, the best options depend on the room, the size of your window and your practical preferences and needs.
Should You Open or Close Your Window Coverings in Winter?
The answer is both! Different times of the day require opposing levels of coverage for your windows. The opening and closing of your window coverings in winter is also dependent on the direction of your windows. Open north-facing coverings during sunny winter days to let solar heat in and close all coverings at dusk to trap the warmth. On cloudy days, however, keep your window coverings closed to trap the warmth of your home.
To enjoy complete convenience in the operation of your window coverings, Spotlight's made-to-measure service offers the option of adding motorisation to your blinds and curtains, making it easy to control your window dressings.
Minimising Heat Loss and Help Lower Your Energy Bills
Windows are responsible for a significant amount of heating energy loss, meaning poorly covered windows can cost a household in lost warmth. Window coverings can increase savings on your energy bills, however, this will vary based on the size of your home, climate, window type, fit and consistent use. Savings will recur every year, so a well-chosen covering pays for itself over time
Australia's Most Trusted Name for Energy-Saving Window Coverings
At Spotlight, you can shop a wide range of energy efficient window coverings under the one roof, where our in-store design consultants are available to give personalised advice on fabric, colour, style and installation, so there's no need to visit multiple retailers. With a free in-home measure and quote service for made-to-measure curtains, blinds, shutters and outdoor awnings, our custom window furnishings are assembled in Spotlight's own Australian workrooms, not outsourced offshore. Our made to measure service also offers the option to motorise your window dressings for an additional cost. Motorised custom made curtains and blinds provide incredible convenience over the operation of your blinds and curtains, allowing for hands-free temperature control.
With more than 120 stores across Australia and one of the widest ranges of curtain fabrics by the metre in the country, Spotlight make it easy to see and feel fabrics in person before buying. You can shop from a range of blockout and thermal fabrics, heading tape, curtain linings and all the essentials you need to make your own curtains. Or if you prefer to shop online, you can enjoy the added convenience of our click and collect service.
Explore our extensive range of curtains and blinds online or at a Spotlight store near you and find all the necessary accessories you need to upgrade your windows, including curtain rods, tracks, tiebacks, pelmets and hardware, where everything can be sorted in one visit.
Make Your Budget Go Further with VIP Club Deals and Perks
Discover exclusive access to events and special offers with the Spotlight VIP Club. Become a member and enjoy incredible benefits, including everyday discounts and early sales notifications. You will also receive birthday vouchers as well as an added welcome voucher when you sign up! Sign up and become a member of the VIP Club today.
Lower Your Bills and Stack Up the Savings with Bargains Galore
Prepare your home for winter by upgrading your window furnishings with energy efficient window coverings. Explore our ready-made curtains and discover a collection of sheer curtains, blockout curtains and other fabrics to elevate your home. Or shop our range of blinds and discover our free in-home measure and quote service for a convenient introduction to our world of custom-made options. Head into your nearest Spotlight store or shop the range online and upgrade your window furnishings for winter.
Looking for more inspiration on how to prepare your home for winter? Be sure to check out our helpful blog articles, including the Best Curtains For Winter, 13 Ways to Keep Your House Warm and the Best Blinds For Winter.
