When choosing new blinds for your Winnipeg home, there are a number of deciding factors that will run through your mind. Apart from keeping light out and improving privacy, the right blinds can also help improve the energy efficiency of your property. Here are some of the ways in which blinds can help keep your energy bills as low as possible.
Winter energy efficiency
The first thing to understand when it comes to your windows is how they affect the temperature in the room. Even if you keep the window shut, poor weather can cause the temperature in the room to drop. When the weather outside is very cold, it will cause the exterior window pane to become just as cold. The temperature is transferred to the air between the exterior and interior window panes. Once this air cools sufficiently, it will cause the interior window pane to cool down. This will then cause the temperature of the air in the room to drop too. While this might seem like a long process, it’s important to remember that the temperatures in winter remain extremely low for several months. Which means that it can take quite a toll on the temperature in your home and your heating system will have to work that much harder to keep your home warm.
By installing blinds or shades, you add an extra layer between the window and the air in your room. This slows the transfer of cold air and helps maintain a warmer environment. It’s also worth noting that some blinds are made from special materials designed to trap air and prevent it from passing. If insulation is one of your top priorities, ask NorthShield Blinds and More for expert assistance and your free in-home estimate.
Summer energy efficiency
Energy saving is not only for the winter months but for summer too. Just as your windows can transfer cold, so to 
can they transfer heat. This is especially true for windows that are in direct sunlight. When the rays of the sun strike the window, they heat it up even faster than they ordinarily would. This will cause your home to get warmer in the summer and your air conditioner will need to work harder to keep temperatures comfortable.
When you install shades or blinds, there are two ways in which they can help keep the heat at bay. Firstly, they form a barrier between the window and the surrounding air in the room. This is quite similar to the way they help keep the cold out. Another way in which window coverings help in the summer is by keeping the light out and even reflecting it. Window coverings with a reflective exterior surface help repel the rays of the sun to limit the transfer of heat.
No matter where you live in Winnipeg, there is no doubt that the winters are harsh and the summers can be just as extreme. Such varying weather conditions can result in high energy costs if the proper measures are not taken. For help choosing the right blinds for your home and for your free in-home estimate, call NorthShield Blinds and More at (204) 800 0222.
