If you’re looking to save some money and help the planet, you should start making small changes at home. Here are a few ways to make your home a little more earth-friendly, which will save you money in the process, by updating your window treatments.
Shut Your Shutters
Plantation shutters installed indoors are a great way to have your cake and eat it too. If you want to let in natural light, you can open the shutters as much or as little as you would like to light up your room naturally and save money on your light bill. You can also use them to keep the heat out of your house during those hot summer days by keeping the shutters shut tight.
Solar Shades
Blinds and drapes can only do so much to insulate your home. Solar shades are great at keeping hot summer heat at bay by reflecting the sun’s rays away from your windows. They reduce the solar rays that enter your home to keep your bills lower and your thermostat consistent. If they fit tightly into your window frame, they will also help block the cold from coming in through the windowpanes in the winter.
Insulation Station
An expensive option that provides a more long-term solution is a window glazing treatment. Replacing your current windows with windows that have been glazed and qualified as energy-efficient will cut your energy bill down and reduce your carbon footprint. They will keep your heat or air inside and can usually save you up to twenty percent on your energy bill. Paired with shades or blinds, this is an excellent window treatment idea.
Caulk It Up
And of course, don’t forget to caulk and use weather stripping around your windows and doors to prevent leaks coming in or going out of your home. Even the best window treatment design will fail if your windows aren't properly done. It doesn’t cost much to make these updates on your windows and doors, and fresh caulk can keep your cold air in while keeping the hot air out, or vice versa in the winter months. Weather stripping can be placed around doors as well to keep the seal tight and fresh even after repeated openings and closings.
Freeze Frames
If your windows are framed with a material that is a high conductor, you may have an energy problem on your hands. Aluminum, steel, or any other kind of metal frames may be the culprit behind your higher energy bill. If you update your frames to another material such as fiberglass or wood, you should notice a better insulation and fit for your windows, and a much better number on your electric bill. You'll enjoy looking at your window treatment valances much more when you know you're saving money with freeze frames.
