The Type Of Curtains That Best Reduce A Room's Heat Gain
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Whether you live in a desert city or simply want to save on air conditioning during hot summer months, keeping your home cool is one of the few things you can control in the blistering heat. Unfortunately, reducing your room's heat gain using electricity hungry AC units can get pricey, even if you take advantage of the most cost-effective measures to run your air conditioner. But when you dress your windows with medium-colored drapes featuring a white plastic backing, you're on your way to keeping your home cool with minimal cost to your wallet or the planet.
Neutral drapes lined with a white synthetic fabric backing can cut heat gains by 33%, per the U.S. Department of Energy. Conversely, pretty much any type of curtain mitigates heat loss by up to 10% when winter temperatures hit. In monetary terms, adding window treatments to a room may cut your summer energy bills by $100 to $200. Since white-lined curtains in a light hue significantly reduce solar heat gain, installing them over other budget-friendly window treatment options that look high-end, like roller shades or Venetian blinds, could result in even greater savings.
Light-hued, white plastic-backed drapes for every budget
White plastic-backed drapes are a lesser-known curtain hack to keep your home warmer and cooler all year long, especially if you live in an area that's affected by sweltering or freezing weather. There are many options, with price tags and styles that can be tailored to anyone's budget, interior decor, and level of patience for maintenance.
The H.VERSAILTEX 100% Blackout Curtains for Bedrooms feature a white liner and retail for about $39. They come in various shades and boast a 4.6-star customer review rating. The sleek PrinceDeco Textured Blackout Curtains in Ivory sell for under $42 and are machine washable. Similarly, the Sun Zero Darren Distressed Woven Jacquard Blackout Grommet Curtains cost just $27 and promise to block out most light and reduce outside noise. Plus, they boast a pattern that would suit any boho-styled room.
If you want to maximize reduced heat gain for your money, look for drapes certified by the Attachments Energy Rating Council, as advised by the Department of Energy.