Will Drapes in Jacksonville Lower Energy Bills in the Winter?

As the winter months get here, you may start to worry about the higher costs of your heating. You want to keep your energy bills to a minimum, and that means looking at where most of your heat is escaping. You may be surprised to learn that 30% of heat leaves through the windows, so you want blinds, shades, or drapes in Jacksonville that will block that heat loss.

Drapes are beautiful additions to the home. The question you have right now is whether they’ll help to lower the energy bills. Are these the right window coverings for your winter needs?

You’ll Need the Right Type of Drapes in Jacksonville

There are some drapes that will help to block the heat from escaping through the windows. However, you need to get the right type, and we’re not talking about the way the light comes through the windows. You’ll want to look into thicker drapes, and even consider buying thermal options.

The thicker material will help to block the heat from escaping through the windows. This keeps the heat on the right side of the drapes, keeping the room’s temperature more consistent. The heating won’t keep turning on as the temperatures don’t go low enough, so you end up with lower energy bills.

Of course, you will lose light with these drapes. They’re not the best for during the day, but you will want to use them at night. They can be a great secondary window covering during the winter months.

You Need the Right Length of Drapes

Now it’s time to look at the length. Most drapes in Jacksonville will go to the floor. That’s the traditional way of hanging them, but this can cause a problem. There is a risk of blocking the heating vents with your drapes.

When you close floor-length drapes, you need to make sure the material is behind the vent. This way the heat can get into the room. Heating up the area between window and drape isn’t a good idea. You’re encouraging that heat to escape through the windows.

Having drapes that are slightly shorter can be beneficial. This avoids the problem of the material hanging on the wrong side of the drapes. You don’t want to go too short, though. You need to keep the area below the windowsill covered so the heat doesn’t get up and under it.

Allow the Light in During the Day

You don’t want to turn the lights on during the day. This is going to run up your energy bills in the winter. Drapes are good for this.

You can fully open the drapes. This will allow all the natural light in during the day, keeping the room bright. This can even allow the UV rays to come through, creating some sort of greenhouse effect. It’s not as hot as in the summer, but it’s going to help keep the heating use to a minimum during the day while keeping the room warm.

Now is the time to look at your window coverings for the winter. Drapes in Jacksonville could be the perfect way to reduce your energy bills.