How to Calculate Energy Savings From Energy Efficient Window Treatments

With so many window treatment options, it can be hard to choose which blinds you want to buy. Then you hear about energy efficient blinds and wonder how much you could actually save. There is an easy way to find out. If you go to some online blinds store, you can use an energy calculator to give you an idea of how much you would save based on the square footage of your home.

Here are some other ways to figure out savings.

Honeycomb Cellular Shades and Fusion Shades are the Most Energy Efficient
The double cell honeycomb shade along with the fusion roman shade is the most efficient design available today. What you may not realize is that the color makes a difference in the energy efficiency of the blinds.

- Choose a light color or a shiny surface to reflect light and heat.
- Choose dark colors to absorb heat.

How Sunlight Effects Your Energy Bill
During the summer, windows can cause your energy consumption to increase a whopping 20 to 50 percent of the total energy used in a home. To give you a more concrete example a tiny one by one foot window lets in more heat than your entire wall! This can make your air conditioner work as much as 50 percent harder than it has to. The right window treatment means the energy used goes down, electric bill goes down, and the sun can't fade your carpet or furniture.

Window Blinds and Coefficient
The coefficient measures the shades ability to insulate the home and how well it blocks out solar energy. In this case, you want a low number. The lower the number the better a job it will do keeping your house warm during the winter and cool during the summer.

You can find a coefficient rating on both honeycomb shades and fusion roman shades.

Using the Energy Calculator to Determine How Much You Will Save
Of course, the energy calculator is only an estimate. However, you can get a good idea about how much you can save with the right blinds.

All you do is enter the square footage of your home. Then you choose from a variety of styles and then estimate energy savings. You will notice that honeycomb cellular shades, blackout shades, and even double cell translucent shades top the list.

An average size home can expect to save between $200 and $400 dollars from installing window treatments. In addition, when you choose qualifying blinds, you can get a Federal Tax Cut as well.

Autor: Chris R. Stanley

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Added: February 9, 2010
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/