Does keeping blinds/shades down help keep heat in?

[Anonymous]

In extreme weather - cold or hot do you keep your shades/blinds closed? Does it help keep heat/air in?

[Anonymous]

You need insulated curtains for that.

[Anonymous]

Depends. If it's very sunny, keep them open. If it's cloudy, keep them closed (and when the sun goes down).

[Anonymous]

Blinds keep the sun out, which can help a bit with heat. I keep them closed on hot days.

But PP is right that curtains are the only really effective window coverings for temperature control.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Depends. If it's very sunny, keep them open. If it's cloudy, keep them closed (and when the sun goes down).

To add: sun = free heat in the winter. Obviously not in the summer.

[Anonymous]

I have insulating/light blocking curtains in my bedroom, which has south facing windows. It makes a huge difference in summer against the sun.

Since replacing our windows with much better ones, it's less of an issue in winter. But with our old windows which had poor seals and were single panes, closing the curtains helped as well.

[Anonymous]

I give you permission to open or close your blinds as you desire.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In extreme weather - cold or hot do you keep your shades/blinds closed? Does it help keep heat/air in?

Yes, depending on the blind material and design.

However sunlight/UV radiation through glass creates infrared radiation and warms a room. Curtains are more effective when used to keep radiation out to keep a house cooler in the day/summer.

[Anonymous]

Also depends on the efficiency of your windows.

[Anonymous]

Blinds help afaik. Not a lot but some.

[Anonymous]

We have honeycomb shades and they absolutely help with insulation. We keep them open during the day to let the sun in, and close them as the sun starts going down.

When I was a kid, my dad used to tell us to close the curtains in the summer to keep the house cool. It worked, but the house was always so dark!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I give you permission to open or close your blinds as you desire.

It might not make sense energy-consumption-wise to do that if she doesn’t have the proper curtains. She should seek the opinion of an expert, not simply rely on you.

PP, schedule a home energy audit through an approved contractor. They can best advise you on when or when not to open your curtains. If you can’t afford an energy audit, consult with your local Sierra Club chapter and they can provide you with an expert to advise you.


But I definitely would not just go about opening and closing your drapes as you please. Not without consulting someone in authority.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I give you permission to open or close your blinds as you desire.

It might not make sense energy-consumption-wise to do that if she doesn’t have the proper curtains. She should seek the opinion of an expert, not simply rely on you.

PP, schedule a home energy audit through an approved contractor. They can best advise you on when or when not to open your curtains. If you can’t afford an energy audit, consult with your local Sierra Club chapter and they can provide you with an expert to advise you.


But I definitely would not just go about opening and closing your drapes as you please. Not without consulting someone in authority.

Ok that got me laughing so hard I spilled some martini. Love your sense of humor.

[Anonymous]

Yes, to some minor extent, how much depends on fit and material.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I give you permission to open or close your blinds as you desire.

It might not make sense energy-consumption-wise to do that if she doesn’t have the proper curtains. She should seek the opinion of an expert, not simply rely on you.

PP, schedule a home energy audit through an approved contractor. They can best advise you on when or when not to open your curtains. If you can’t afford an energy audit, consult with your local Sierra Club chapter and they can provide you with an expert to advise you.


But I definitely would not just go about opening and closing your drapes as you please. Not without consulting someone in authority.

Ok that got me laughing so hard I spilled some martini. Love your sense of humor.

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