Will Installing Plantation Shutters Reduce My Energy Bills?
Energy prices are a real talking point at the minute with an average increase of between 30% and 50% in gas and electric bills during 2022 putting real pressure on households throughout the UK. This has also been exacerbated by a cost-of-living crisis, prompting the government to sanction a £150 Council tax rebate to help relieve some of the pressure. You may now be looking at some potential steps you could take which make your home more energy efficient. Did you know that installing plantation shutters could be one way of reducing your energy bills?
Are window shutters energy efficient?
The short answer to this question is yes, and now we’re going to explain how. You’re probably unaware that windows are responsible for 25-30% of heating and cooling energy usage in homes. However, window coverings can reduce the heat lost through windows. Wooden bi-fold shutters top the list of energy efficient window coverings by reducing heat loss by an impressive 64% as you can see below in this graph:
The U-value, also known as thermal transmittance, is the rate of heat transfer through a structure divided by the difference in temperature across that structure. The better insulated a structure, the lower the U-value and as you can see from the graph, shutters have the lowest U-value of 2.0W/m2 K
How are shutters so energy efficient?
As we have already mentioned, insulating shutters reduce heat loss by up to 64%. This isn’t the only thing which makes window shutters so energy efficient though as they also reduce heat gain too. They prevent overheating in homes by reducing solar energy transmittance (Gtot) through a double-glazed window from 0.84 to 0.24 Gtot. You could save cost elsewhere too as shutters are so effective when it comes to heat control, this can reduce or eliminate the need for Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) units. The control over light and glare you have with shutters is also a big factor too as this reduces the solar gain (g-value) and prevents overheating.
Does the way you use your shutters matter?
So, we’ve established that shutters are the most energy efficient type of window covering, however, the way you use them could also have an impact on energy usage in your home. When it is hot outside, you can close shutters completely to reduce glare and therefore the g-value through solar gain. Opening the shutters when the window is in shade can allow a cool breeze to pass into your home. During the winter months, opening the shutters in the morning can be beneficial for harvesting solar energy. Closing at night-time, when the sun goes down, will keep the heat inside your home.
In conclusion:
Studies have proven that plantation shutters are more energy efficient than other window coverings like curtains and roller blinds and installing them in your home may lead to a reduction in your heating bills. The initial installation cost of plantation shutters is higher than that of alternative coverings, however, shutters offer a long-lasting option in your home. Shutters are well suited to any room in the home too and installing them in multiple rooms could prove even more energy efficient. If you run your own business, the rising cost of energy bills is no doubt something you have thought about, shutter blinds could therefore prove to be one of the solutions you consider. We supply and install plantation shutters in homes and businesses throughout the North East including Newcastle, Gateshead and Northumberland. If you are interested in a FREE consultation to discuss your options, please get in touch.