When you think of winter, especially in this area, you think of snowflakes and chilly temperatures. The weather can feel unpredictable, and we don’t know exactly when the snow will blow through. Don’t be fooled, though. As much as many of us want to deny it, icy temperatures and snow are in our future. Winter is inevitable–at the same time, lots of people think losing energy-efficiency in their homes and high heating bills are, too. Not so! Check out these tips for having an energy efficient home, a few extra dollars in your pocket, and a comfortable, cozy place to snuggle up in this winter.
Tip 1. Insulate, Insulate, Insulate
Most likely, the walls of your home are insulated. You know that this helps to keep heat from escaping. So, what about your windows? Are they insulated, or is heat literally escaping out the window? If you’re picturing puffy pink fiberglass insulation stapled to your window frames, you’ve got the wrong idea. Insulating your windows actually adds gorgeous style and sophistication to your interior design. So, how do you do it? You do it with window shades. Now, not all shades are created equal when it comes to protecting your home from the winter cold. Shades with a cellular design provide the most benefit. By trapping heated air in pockets at the window, shades, like Duette Honeycombs, serve as a barrier. The warm air that circulates throughout your home stays warm, and that heat stays inside. With insulating window shades, you’ll have a beautiful, comfortable, energy efficient home and lower heating bills. Sound like a winter’s dream come true? It is!
Tip 2. Get Energy Smart with Technology
Do you wish that a more energy efficient home could be yours at the touch of a button? Well, it can! PowerView automated window shades bring energy savings right to your fingertips. Warming rays of sunshine can do a lot to supplement the heating in your home, but, after the sun goes down, a frosty draft can do a lot to cool it off. In your busy life, you don’t have time to run around opening and closing your shades all day long to make the most of solar heating and ward off coldness. Plus, as the hours of daylight decrease, you might not even be home from the office at sunset. That’s where the innovative technology of PowerView can help. By tapping the screen of your favorite device, you can set up scenes and program them to occur automatically. Your shades will open to let in the sun’s warmth and close when coldness starts to creep in–all while you live your life. The smart technology of PowerView can even determine sunrise and sunset times in your area and adjust your shades according to the sun’s position. With PowerView, you’ll save energy and heating costs, and your home will be a cozy haven that you’ll love all winter long.
Tip 3. Turn Out the Lights
Winter can seem so dark. On top of less daylight hours, you might have to close shades and curtains when the sun is shining because, instead of glowing daylighting, you get blinding glare. If you have floor-to-ceiling windows, covering them and switching on lamps and overhead lights is a routine winter chore. You feel like you’re living in a cave, your electricity bill increases, and you lose out on the mood-enhancing benefits of natural light. Not anymore! Dressing your windows with shades that filter and diffuse sunlight and allow you to control the direction of incoming light–like Silhouette or Nantucket shades–will transform your home and your life. With the right window shades, you can enjoy every moment of celebrated winter sunshine and have an energy efficient home. So, save your artificial lights for the perfect dinner party ambiance, and let beautiful, natural light brighten your home and your spirits this winter.
Winter weather will be here before you know it, so now’s the time to prepare. By creating a more energy efficient home, you’ll save energy and money while being surrounded by warmth, beauty, and comfort all season long. We’d love to help you find just what you need. Our experts will come right to your home to help you determine exactly what products, fabrics, and textures will benefit and beautify your home most. Contact our team at Skyline Window Coverings for a free in-home consultation today.
