Looking for easy and cost-effective ways to stay warm this winter? Learn how to increase your home’s warmth and decrease your heating bill by using the following energy efficient window treatments to stay warm and toasty this year!
In this article we discuss 3 budget-friendly ways to improve the energy efficiency of your home while maintaining your personal style.
These are the affordable energy efficiency solutions that we’ll be discussing:
- Weather Stripping
- Insulating Curtains and Drapes
- Cellular Shades
Weather Strip Your Way To Warmth
Weather Stripping is the process of sealing the cracks in your windows to create an energy efficient barrier.
The stripping is usually made of foam and comes in varying widths and sizes to fit most windows. It can be cut and shaped as needed to fit irregular windows and corners for a more efficient seal.
Weather stripping can save on extensive heat loss and reduce your heating bill by keeping more heat inside and more cold outside. The great thing about weather stripping is that you can apply it almost invisibly and it works for both heating in the winter and cooling in the summer.
Weather stripping works by creating an invisible barrier inside of your windows that prevents cold from entering the treated areas and heat from escaping through these areas. Using weather stripping during the winter months can result in savings on heating bills due to the reduction of heat leaving the home and works in the reverse during the summer months.
Weather stripping is a relatively inexpensive option to reduce your heating costs and boost the energy efficiency of your home during the colder months of the year. The stripping can be purchased at most home improvement or hardware stores as individual strips or as a part of a complete kit. The price range for weather stripping can range from less than five dollars (like the package in the image shown above) and beyond, depending on the size of the area that you need to cover.
Benefits of Weather Stripping:
- Extremely Budget Friendly
- Easy to Use
- Quick Installation
- Increased Energy Efficiency Year Round
Next up in our energy efficiency arsenal are Insulating Shades and Drapes!
Insulating Shades and Drapes can be made from a variety of fabrics, colors, and weights and are customized to fit the size and shape of any window. The curtains and drapes are constructed to include a heavy energy efficient backing that creates an energy efficient barrier.
If you’re looking for a cost-effective and stylish solution then insulating curtains or drapes are another relatively inexpensive energy efficient solution to add to your winter arsenal. Insulating curtains and drapes are very easy to use and install and operate under the same concept as the previous options discussed.
Curtains are generally made to fit the size of a window and can also be ordered at custom size to fit any size window. Drapes are very similar to curtains with the main difference being that drapes are usually heavier and go all the way to the floor adding a more polished look to your windows while enhancing the beauty of your home decor.
Both curtains and drapes can be used as energy efficient window treatments. The fabric weight and color contribute to the heat savings offered by the curtains and drapes as the heavier fabric prevents heat loss and keeps cold air from entering your home as air is trapped by the heavy fabric upon entering the window.
These stylish budget friendly window treatment options are available in a variety of colors and designs to match your energy efficient decor. Curtains and drapes are available at many price points to fit any budget and can be purchased for less than 10 dollars per panel and up depending on the number of panels needed, the size of the area that needs to be covered and your budget.
Insulating curtains and drapes can be purchased in a variety of locations including:
- Department Stores
- Home Improvement Stores
- Hardware Stores
- Online stores via specialty retailers
An added bonus of using these energy efficient treatments is that they can also be used to block out light resulting in a better night’s rest all year round and they offer the same energy efficient benefits for cooling in the warmer summer months!
Cellular Shades
Cellular Shades operate very much like traditional window blinds with a twist. These shades are specially designed with energy efficiency in mind. Like the previous energy efficiency options cellular shades can be purchased and customized to fit any sized window and budget.
Cellular shades are another increasingly popular energy efficient window treatment options that also offer energy efficiency, warmth, and savings on electric and gas bills during the winter months.
Cellular shades are specially constructed with cells that trap the incoming air from entering the home by creating an energy efficient two way barrier. This honeycomb like barrier prevents the heated air inside of the home from penetrating the cells and escaping through the windows while preventing the cold air from passing beyond the shades and entering the home.
These shades were specifically constructed with the idea of energy efficiency in mind. The construction of the shades allows for maximum energy efficiency without ruining your decor.
Cellular shades are available in a myriad of customizable options that also act as energy efficient privacy barriers for windows. These shades like the other energy efficient options that we have discussed can be purchased in a variety of locations including home improvement stores, hardware stores, department stores, directly from the manufacturer and specialty blind shops.
Cellular shades are affordable and are available for purchase to meet any budget. Considering the energy efficiency and savings that these shades provide they are definitely a great investment for shoppers to consider when preparing to purchase your next winter window treatment.
Now that you’ve learned about these budget-friendly energy efficient window treatments, you should have an easier time staying warm this winter without compromising your sense of style.
