Rising energy bills
In case you hadn’t noticed, there’s something of an energy crisis going on at the moment. The cost of living is skyrocketing. Energy bills are not just going up, they are reaching levels never seen before. Despite intervention from the government to help us pay our bills, we’re all looking for ways to save money this winter.
One of the most effective ways to save is to avoid losing heat unnecessarily. Taking measures such as draught proofing your windows and doors and installing effective insulation in lofts and wall cavities can make a big difference. But another great way to keep the heat in your home is by installing window shutters. A surprising 25-30% of heating loss in residential properties is via the windows.
How do shutters prevent heat loss?
Shutters can save you money on your energy bills in four main ways: reducing heat loss in winter, reducing heat gain in summer, reducing light and glare, and eliminating the need for heating and cooling devices which consumer large amounts of energy.
Shutters can reduce heat loss by up to 64% for single-glazed windows. The shutters act as an extra layer over your windows, trapping heat inside your home. Because they are made to measure, they fit snugly and also block out draughts and keep the cold air out. Of course, they look great too! So not only will you be doing your bit to save energy (and money), but you’ll also be improving the look of your home.
If you’re looking for ways to cut down on your energy bills this winter, then window shutters could be the answer. Not only do they keep your home warmer in the winter, but they can also help to reduce noise pollution, making your home a more peaceful and relaxing place to live.
Consider honeycomb blinds
If shutters aren’t the right look for your particular room, consider honeycomb blinds. These can reduce heat loss by up to 60% compared to a single glazed window. They are designed for energy efficiency, but they look fantastic too.
Cooler next summer
Of course, talk of heat retention tends to be an autumn/winter topic. When summer rolls around, we’ll all be thinking about keeping our homes cool, not warm. But cooling homes costs money too – ventilation and air conditioning units consume large amounts of energy.
Blinds and shutters fall into the category of passive cooling measures and can eliminate the need for these devices, saving large amounts on your energy bill. Shutters or blinds are great for preventing direct sunlight from entering the home, which causes heat gain in the warmer months, especially for sun-facing rooms. They are also of course very versatile and can easily be adjusted to allow in warmth and sunlight when you need it and block it when you don’t.
Doesn’t the cost of installation outweigh the savings?
Shutters are surprisingly low-cost to install. They are custom made so fit perfectly within your window space and can be made to fit almost any shape of window. They come in a wide range of materials, some of which are extremely affordable. There’s no harm in getting a quote for shutter installation from ShutterWise to find out the exact cost for your home. As energy prices are rising much faster than the cost of shutter installation, installing now will save you more money than ever before. There’s never been a better time to install passive heat loss prevention measures such as shutters or blinds.
