With energy costs having soared over the last few years, many homeowners now hold off turning on their heating for as long as they can, but as we get deeper into the winter months and temperatures drop, it becomes unavoidable. However, there are ways you can keep your home insulated and reduce your energy bills. Shutters are the perfect choice. Not only can they help make your property more energy efficient, but they are aesthetically stylish as well. Here’s how shutters can help keep your house warm this winter.
The science of heat loss in your home
The effectiveness of insulation in your home is measured by U-value. Specifically, this measures how quickly heat can escape through a structure. The lower the number, the better the insulating performance. The British Blind and Shutter Association (BBSA) notes that a standard double-glazed window has a U-value of 2.9. The addition of wooden shutters could reduce that by 35% to a U-value of 1.9. This makes them very appealing if you want to keep your house warm.
Shutters minimise gaps
Open shutter during the day for heat gain
When it is nice and cosy in your home, the last thing you want is for the heat to escape. This is more common if you have old windows or windows that have been poorly installed, as the heat can escape through gaps. With a U-value of 1.9, shutters create the ultimate insulating barrier. Not only do they provide a secondary layer to the outside world, but they utilise the entire space, minimising areas where you could otherwise lose heat.
Energy saving tip – open your shutters during the day to utilise the warmth from the sun. Once the sun goes down, close them to keep the heat in. This can reduce the amount of time you need to have your heating on.
Ditch your curtains
While curtains can look and feel cosy, their thermal benefits are not as effective as shutters. The thickness and robust wood that shutters are made from means they are more effective at keeping the heat in, compared to the thin fabrics used for curtains. Another reason for choosing shutters over curtains is, that any heat that rises from your radiator (if you have one below your window) will often get trapped behind your curtains, but with shutters, the heat will recirculate back into the room, helping to keep it nice and warm.
Consider blackout shutters
blackout shutters add double insulation
While full-height shutters cover the entirety of your window and are a popular choice for insulating your home, blackout shutters have even greater advantages. They may be the obvious choice for light sleepers and those who prefer a dark room, but the addition of a blackout blind behind the shutter panel also creates two layers of protection and therefore increases the thermal benefits even more than other shutter options.
Not just for winter
If you are worried shutters will make your home too hot in the summer, you don’t need to. Shutters will benefit your home all year round. While they keep your home warm in the colder months, in the summer they do the opposite, shading your home from the sun’s rays. That’s a win-win to us!
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