Written by
Carol CairnsJanuary 24, 2011
As we welcome fall's cooler temperatures, we're faced with shorter days and diminishing light. By drawing light into a room, you reduce energy needs and maximize the season's waning light.
Day lighting is created by using natural light rather than generating through electricity. 40% of heat that escapes and 50% of solar heat that enters your home is through windows. Energy efficiency is especially important during cold winters and sun-saturated summers.
With efficient window coverings, you can control how much natural light comes into your room, and direct that light to where it's needed. In cooler weather, window coverings help prevent heat inside from escaping. Window shade cells trap cold air, decreasing the intensity as it enters the room, which translates into significant utility bill savings. A triple cell honeycomb shade will increase efficiency more than double on a double-glaze window. Effective window coverings will protect furniture and floors against harmful UV rays.
Innovative blinds offer many options, such as, top down to let light in while maintaining privacy. Motorization using home automation controls blinds automatically based on the sun to keep heat in or out, depending on the season.
Through home automation, lights can be dimmed and automatically turned off after a period of time or inactivity in a room. When you leave your house or go to sleep, home automation can turn all lights, TVs, stereos, and appliances off with a single button. House temperature can be regulated through home automation.
Isn't it time to take control?
My Smarter Home offers one-stop-shopping for home automation and window coverings to help save energy costs.