Curtains Can Save you Money
In the summer we want to be as cool as possible and in the winter we turn our homes into ovens. This eats a lot of energy. Whether it is you hot water heater, ceiling fans or air conditioning. We try very hard to adjust our environment to our needs. Surprisingly, curtains should be a part of this routine.
Many people think that curtains are only for blocking out light or keeping the neighbors from getting a free show. Well the truth is that you should pay more attention to the curtains you use. In the summer, if you do not use AC or just like the fresh air, you are going to want a set of light curtains that can block the sunlight but won’t block the breeze. Reducing the amount of light that actually gets into your house can drop the temperature considerably. An unobstructed breeze makes a big difference as well. The proper use of ceiling fans for convection window fans for cross breeze and curtains for light insulation can cool a house with considerably less energy than an AC unit.
In the winter you are going to want to properly insulate your windows and use heavy curtains to block drafts and send them to the floor. You will want to open these during the day and then close them around 3PM as the sun starts to lose its strength. These heavy curtains will help kill that draft that always seems to run right down your neck when you are trying to get comfortable or over your toes when you are trying to sleep. Cheap ceiling fans on low are very useful in the winter also. You want to set them so they blow the air upward and push the warm air that’s sitting near the ceiling down the walls. Remember, heat rises and you are heating your rooms from the top down so flush mount ceiling fan help to normalize the temperature.
If you follow these little tips you’ll be surprised how much more comfortable your house will be. Don’t overlook the windows as sources of heat and cold. Proper insulation starts with the curtains. That’s why they were developed originally and they can still serve that purpose today.