The Right Window Treatments Can Reduce Utility Bills
If your electricity bill has crept up over the past few years, we are all in the same boat. According to the
Office of Governor Josh Stein, residential electricity costs in North Carolina rose nearly 30% between 2017 and 2024. But here's something interesting: The U.S. Department of Energy posts that heat gain and heat loss through windows account for 25 to 30% of residential heating and cooling energy use.
This topic is often discussed at Blind & Shutter Gallery Inc., and when it comes up, our thoughts naturally turn to energy-efficient window treatments. These styles leverage temperature regulation and other features to save home and business owners money every month. It's an effective way to combat those costs in 2026.
Typical Window Treatments Don't Rank High for Energy-Efficiency
Standard blinds and basic curtains do a decent job of blocking light, but most offer little insulation. For instance, single-layer aluminum blinds have a negligible thermal value, and thin polyester curtains don't do much better. Most off-the-shelf options are designed with aesthetics rather than performance in mind, so homeowners often pay for window coverings that look fine but do nothing to reduce energy costs.
Heat and Light Control Focused Window Treatments and Temperature Regulation
This group of well-designed window treatments works by managing heat transfer and light exposure. Some of them are engineered to insulate, forming a buffer between the glass and the room that slows temperature exchange. Others are designed to filter UV rays and reduce solar heat gain without darkening the space. Many do both, giving homeowners control over how stable indoor temperatures stay throughout the day.
Hunter Douglas Window Treatments for Energy Efficiency
There are quite a few choices here, so you won't have problems finding window treatments that serve this purpose while sacrificing a beautiful aesthetic. These three are energy efficiency, superstars:
- Duette® Cellular Shades: Their specially engineered honeycomb construction traps air in horizontal pockets, which creates insulation. Ask about Duette® Architella®, which has a honeycomb-within-a-honeycomb design for even more energy efficiency.
- Designer Solar Shades: Shades with simple designs and hi-tech fabrics in different weaves that filter UV rays and reduce heat gain. The exclusive GreenScreen® Sea-Tex™ fabric collection features yarn made from recovered coastal and marine plastic.
- PowerView® Automation: Lowers energy costs by automatically adjusting Hunter Douglas window coverings throughout the day in response to scheduled or sensor-driven cues, optimizing natural light and reducing the need for artificial lighting, heat, and A/C.
We carry the full line of Hunter Douglas window treatments, including other shade styles, as well as blinds and shutters. You don't have to install energy-efficient coverings on every window; we can help you select different styles to suit every room.
Let's Talk More About Energy Efficiency in Person
Blind & Shutter Gallery Inc. proudly partners with Hunter Douglas window treatments and has a top-notch team of design experts to help you select, customize, and install your selections. Contact us for service in the greater Nashville, TN area, including Murfreesboro, Franklin, Nolensville, Brentwood, Fairview, Thompson's Station, and College Grove, TN.
