0191 233 0818
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Considering new blinds and need to know if blinds keep cold out?

Blinds give your home or business a contemporary look and feel but will they keep the cold out in those chilly winter months?

The answer is ‘yes’, certain types of blinds will trap a layer of air between the fabric and the glass, helping to keep out the cold coming in from your windows. Professionally fitted thermal blinds can be an energy efficient way to keep the heat in and the cold out. Be aware that not all types of blinds will keep the cold out, slatted blinds won’t but roller and roman blinds will, as long as they cover the whole window when they are closed. This is why having made to measure blinds is important if keeping the cold out is an important factor for you. Standard, off the shelf blinds, won’t always fit your window snugly enough to keep the cold out. Venetian blinds are also not as effective as a roller or roman blind as their slats enable cold air to enter your room.

The use of blinds and curtains can help keep your house cool by absorbing the sunlight and they offer insulation and warmth when they are completely closed. The Department of Energy says that smart management of window coverings can reduce heat gain by up to 77% in the summer and these same things can reduce heat loss in the winter too.

Blackout curtains and shades will reduce the heat that is transferred into your windows by up to 24 percent, again keeping a room cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. This allows you to save on energy and heating bills during the winter months.

There are now insulating blinds available on the market and these will reduce your heating bills more than just standard blinds.

Heating your home accounts for over 70% of your households energy consumption so by reducing the amount of cold entering your home through your windows will reduce your energy bills as well as reducing our carbon footprint helping the UK’s European reduction commitments that they are legally required to deliver.

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We have put together some simple and easy ways to keep your home warm during the winter months:

  • Close your blinds and curtains as soon as it gets dark and cold in the evening as they will help to keep warmth in your home. Make sure you close them completely and there are no gaps. If you keep the cold out and the warmth in this also helps with the build-up of condensation
  • Fully open your blinds and curtains in the day to let the sunlight in when it is there and you will benefit from the warmth throughout your home
  • Programme timers on your heating so it has a chance to warm up 30 minutes before you get up and turn it off when you leave the house. Programme it to turn on 30 minutes before you get home and 30 minutes after you go to bed. By doing this you can heat your home and water at a lower temperature rather than blasting it as soon as you need it. By doing this it reduces the amount of energy consumed. It is a myth that leaving your heating on low all day will reduce your energy bills, you will just be spending money on heating your home when you don’t need to. By programming your heating to come on at predefined times you will only use energy when you need it
  • Installing heating controls and thermostatic radiator valves can save you up to 40% compared to a home with no controls
  • The new smart thermostats enable you to remotely control your heating via an app so you can turn it on when you are on your way home, or off if you have gone out unexpectedly. A lot of energy suppliers are offering their customers smart thermostats to help them with the cost of their energy bills so it is worth checking it out
  • Move furniture away from your radiators as they will absorb the heat and block it from circulating into your room. A lot of home have radiators below windows so another consideration is not to have full-length curtains that close over your radiators as these will also absorb the heat being distributed out. The same goes for drying clothes on your radiators, this will stop the warm air from circulating into your home
  • Radiator panels will reflect the heat away from your walls and allow it to circulate into your room more efficiently. They are relatively cheap and easy to install so are a good way to encourage heat into your rooms without turning up your thermostat
  • Check the insulation in your roof, heat rises and around 25% of heat can be lost through your roof. Maximise your insulation in your roof by checking you have 25cm of insulation in your loft
  • Around a third of heat in an un-insulated home is lost through your walls. Cavity wall insulation can save you up to £160 in heating bills annually. There are some energy companies that offer insulation checks and schemes to help you with the cost of insulating your home so have a look around
  • Check your hot water tank is fully insulated as this keeps your hot water warmer for longer and negates the need for having your water heating constantly. Having a fully insulated hot water tank could save you up to £100 – £150 annually
  • Turning your thermostat down by just 1 degree can reduce your heating costs by up to 10%. Just add an extra layer when the cold nights arrive rather than turning your thermostat up
  • Draught excluders are a great way to keep the warmth in your home and by draught-proofing your doors, windows and cracks in your floor you can save you up to £25 a year. Put self-adhesive rubber seals around your doors and windows, use draught door excluders on your doors and put a rug over any cracks in your floor if you are unable to seal.
  • If you have an older boiler, generally over 10 years old then a more efficient and newer model will reduce your heating bills. A new A-rated condensing boiler uses less energy to produce the same amount of heat

Deal Direct Blinds have a huge range of blinds and shutters that will keep the heat inside your home in the winter and the warmth out in the summer. From roller blinds to black out blinds, to roman blinds and shutters we will have a blind to suit your needs and budget. Our measuring and fitting service in the North East enables you to sit back and relax whilst we do all the hard work. Give us a call today on 0191 233 0818 and one of our team will be happy to help, or come and see us in our New Super-size Showroom in Gateshead where we can give you all the style and benefits advice to find the perfect blind for you, your home or your business.