Radiant Barrier Curtains
With energy costs rising all the time, more and more people are looking for ways to reduce their energy bills. Heat can escape through a house if it is not insulated properly but it can also escape through windows which are not double glazed or which have loose or cracked old frames etc. Some homes have older style windows and in the winter they can let in draughts of cold air. This can be felt as you move closer to the window. Naturally this reduces the amount of heat in a room and may require you to increase the heating to try and warm up the room costing you more money by increasing the amount of energy you are using. The ideal solution would be to replace the windows but what if this is too expensive for you? There is something else you can do and that would be to buy some radiant barrier curtains.
You might be surprised to realise how much heat is actually lost through windows which are not properly fitted or which are cracked. If you have your heating on and your home feels warm, then you should feel around the windows to see if you can feel any cold air. If you can, then you know there is a leak somewhere. There are many different types of radiant barrier curtains available which can help you to prevent heat from leaving your house through the windows in the winter and prevent heat from entering your home in the summer.
The fabric used for these radiant barrier curtains is not bulky as you would expect but is thin and lightweight but it can do a remarkable job at reducing your energy use. Radiant barrier curtains can block the heat on both sides plus they can provide shade from the sun. They can be made to look aesthetically pleasing with a light coloured fabric on one side and the radiant barrier fabric on the other side. You can also buy this fabric to line your existing curtains which will give you the same benefit while you still keep the curtains that you love.
The difference between radiant barrier curtains and blackout curtains is that blackout curtains block the light and absorb heat making them less energy efficient. Radiant barrier curtains will block the heat while still allowing light to pass through. Another benefit to these curtains is that they are breathable too which will prevent your room from becoming stuffy. If you want to increase your energy efficiency but cannot afford new, expensive windows, then try some radiant barrier curtains and see the difference.
