Using Blinds To Improve Your Home's Energy Efficiency

While the Australian government rebate has really put the focus on ceiling insulation

, and new technologies focus on green energy, the even simpler concept of window coverings needs to be evaluated by home owners looking to save the environment and their money.

Poor window covering choices can cost home owners in excess of $250 every winter while putting additional pressure on our environment.

Home owners tend to think more about keeping warm with electric heating along with insulation in the ceiling, rather than looking at the more obvious choice of window coverings - blinds, awnings, curtains and shutters.

Likewise window blinds will reduce your need for air conditioning in summer, reflecting the heat and keeping the temperature cool inside. This has the added benefit of reducing expensive electricity bills and your homes energy footprint.

By not having quality blinds, you are basically just throwing money out the window year round.

Save Energy (www.saveenergy.vic.gov.au), an initiative of the Victorian Government states that blinds and external awnings can help reduce the heat absorbed by a house in summer by up to 80% and reduce the need for air conditioning, while Brett also added that conversely, in winter good quality blinds can keep the house warmer by more than 50%.

According to the Victorian Government, current home energy output is in excess of 12,000,000 grams of greenhouse gases per annum, a figure that every home owner can help reduce.

Many home owners plan to purchase blinds for aesthetic reasons, but while that is an important consideration, the reality is that good quality, well-fitted blinds will reduce energy costs and help the environment over the long term.

The most popular window cover choices for home owners at the moment are block out, sheer or translucent roller blinds, which are available in a huge range of colours and cost between $3000 - $5000 to custom fit an average size home.

New home owners are using a combination of sheer and block out roller blinds because they are able to control natural light and privacy in their home. Timber plantation shutters are commonly being used as room dividers, giving rooms a natural and modern feel while allowing light to flow throughout the home into hallways and previously closed off rooms.

Generally, investors who rent the home out are looking for durability, first home owners are budget conscious, families with young children and empty nesters with grandchildren are more focused on safety and style.

by: Sarah McDonald

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