Five ways to reduce your household energy use.

Here’s how you can save money – and the environment – by reducing your household energy use and carbon footprint.

When winter hits, staying warm and heating our homes is something we all like to do. Whether we have ducted heating, split systems or wood fires—keeping our homes and our families warm is of utmost importance during these chilly months. But heating our homes can be an expensive exercise, especially if we don’t have good insulation or the resources to ensure we are being as energy efficient as possible. So how do we keep your home energy costs down?

While there are many options for enhancing the warmth of your home, such as double-glazed windows and insulation, the perfect solution can be as simple as investing in some quality window furnishings. Plus, they are an attractive addition and add also value to your home. But how do these additions help to keep your energy costs down?

Here’s how window coverings can help you save money

Energy Efficiency

One of the primary benefits of window coverings is their ability to improve energy efficiency. In Australia, it is widely reported that up to 40% of a home’s heating energy can be lost, and up to 87% of its heat gained, through windows. It’s a scary thought, isn’t it? So unless you already have double glazing or some kind of insulating film on your windows, there will likely be a fair bit of heat transfer taking place through the glass. What this means is that plenty of the warmth within your home will be lost as it comes into contact with the chill of the outside via your windows. 
Well-insulated window coverings, such as thermal or blockout curtains, double curtains, thermal blinds, blockout blinds or double roller blinds, can help prevent heat loss during winter, and heat gain during summer. By effectively controlling the transfer of heat through your windows, these coverings can reduce the load on your heating and cooling systems. Consequently, you can save on your energy bills by relying less on artificial heating or cooling. But remember, the efficacy of your window coverings will be gauged by how well they fit your windows. Custom-made window coverings will give you the best results, and we can help you with that. See our online how-to-measure guides and tips below for more information. 

Sunlight Control

Window coverings also allow you to control the amount of sunlight entering your home. Direct sunlight can increase the temperature inside, which is ideal in the winter months as your heaters won’t have to work as hard to heat your home. By using coverings like blinds, shades, or curtains, you can adjust the amount of sunlight entering your rooms. This can prevent overheating in summer, and reduce the need for excessive heating in winter, ultimately saving on your energy costs.

Privacy and Security

Window coverings offer privacy by reducing the view from the outside in. This can eliminate the need for exterior window treatments or privacy films, saving you money. Additionally, coverings such as roller blinds or plantation shutters can act as an additional layer of security by preventing potential intruders from peering into your home and deterring them from attempting a break-in.

Protection for Furnishings

During the warmer months, UV rays from sunlight can cause fading and damage to your furniture, carpets, and other interior decor. Window coverings like roller blinds, plantation shutters or curtains with UV-blocking capabilities can help protect your furnishings from harmful rays, thereby extending their lifespan. By reducing the need for premature replacements or repairs, you can save money in the long run.

Insulation and Noise Reduction

Some window coverings, such as heavy drapes or layered curtains, can provide additional insulation from the cold and help dampen external noises. Improved insulation helps maintain a consistent indoor temperature, reducing the workload on your heating systems and lowering energy expenses. Moreover, reducing noise infiltration can enhance your comfort, making it unnecessary to invest in soundproofing solutions.

Remember, choosing the right window coverings and utilising them effectively based on your climate and preferences can maximise their cost-saving benefits. So what options can iSeekBlinds offer you? 

Layering curtains for warmth retention

An option for customers who are looking for added insulation is to layer their window furnishings in their homes. For example, you may already have sheer curtains, but you might consider adding a blockout curtain or blockout roller blind for extra insulation. Doubling up on your window furnishings is great for insulation, as even a thin layer of fabric can enhance the insulating capacity within your home.  

• Our Double curtains allow you to enjoy the daytime sunshine with your sheer curtains and then trap in the heat of the day with blackout curtains which can be pulled shut at night.
• You can also layer curtains with roller blinds, to give you the ultimate in practicality, flexibility and insulation benefits. This is a favourite with iSeekBlinds customers! And the combination is up to you. You can choose blockout roller blinds with sheer curtains, or sunscreen roller blinds with blockout curtains. Both are effective and will really help you keep your energy costs down. 

Sometimes trying to match the perfect blind and curtain fabric can be tricky. So, to make things easier, we have developed fabric combinations that complement each other.  Not only do they provide you with a beautiful layered window covering solution, but one that is functional and affordable too. 

• Bali Blends range: This best-seller consists of coordinating thermal blockout roller blind and sheer curtain fabrics in a variety of colours, suitable for any interior style or space.
• Linesque range: An iSeekBlinds customer favourite, Linesque offers a unique linen-look and soft, textural finish on both the blockout roller blind and sheer curtain range.
• Australian Made fabrics by Wilson Fabrics: Coordinate our Australian-made sheer curtain fabric, Whitsundays, with your choice of six blockout roller blind styles ranging from versatile plains to sophisticated textures and weaves. With a wide selection of colours inspired by the Australian landscape, you’ll be sure to find a combination that suits your home perfectly. Only available online exclusively through iSeekBlinds.

Tips for the best fitting window furnishings

When you are looking to enhance the insulating properties of your home, it helps to ensure that your curtains and blinds fit your windows well. Take measurements of your windows and ensure that you have got the size of your windows just right.

Explore our range of instructional videos to find out more about how to correctly measure your windows for your curtains, roller blinds or plantation shutters. Take a look at our installation instructions and download your free guide for how to get the perfect fit.

What next?

Decide on your product

If you need some inspiration, visit our gallery or Instagram page for ideas and real-life photos from our customers.  

Order your free fabric samples
Once you’ve decided which product you prefer, make use of our free fabric samples. They will allow you to see and feel the fabrics before selecting the one you like best. Not only are our samples FREE, but we also Express Post them to you so you get them super fast.

Measure your windows
So, if you’ve got a home that could benefit from a refresh, let us help you with our range of how-to videos! The DIY process is easy to follow, and it will make a world of difference to your home, we promise.

Place your order
Simply jump on our website and place your order via our easy online ordering system.
Need some help? You can either Contact our customer service team or book a free design consultation with me.

Thanks for reading!

Cheers, 
Mike Gubby. 

Here’s how you can use automation at home to help save the environment and reduce your household energy use.

Motorising and automating your blinds and curtains is something you can do that will help to promote energy efficiency, reduce resource consumption, and minimise your environmental impact.

In recent years, climate change has become an increasingly pressing issue that threatens the well-being of our planet. As individuals, we have the power to make positive changes in our daily habits that can help combat the effects of climate change. By making conscious choices to reduce our carbon footprint, such as reducing waste, recycling and upcycling, and switching to renewable energy, we can contribute to a healthier and more sustainable future for all.

Conserving energy within your home is another valuable change that can be made, and one that is achievable by making a few conscious decisions around your window furnishings.

Motorising and automating your blinds and curtains is something you can do that will help to promote energy efficiency, reduce resource consumption, and minimise your environmental impact. And it’s not only new blinds and curtains that can be automated either. Our easy retrofit system will enable you to convert your current chain-driven roller blinds to motorisation, thereby reducing waste and utilising existing resources. Find out more about retrofitting below.

So how can automating your window furnishing help the environment, combat climate change and save the planet? Here are five key ways in which it can help:

Energy Conservation

Automated blinds and curtains can be programmed to adjust based on time, sunlight intensity, or temperature. By automatically opening or closing your blinds and curtains at optimal times, you can make the most of the natural light and heat gain from the sun. This reduces reliance on artificial lighting and heating or cooling systems, which helps to conserve energy. Over time, the cumulative energy savings can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with energy production, and reduce your expenditure at the same time.

Smart Scheduling

Automation systems for blinds can be integrated with smart home technology and environmental sensors. By leveraging data on sunlight levels, room occupancy, and outdoor conditions, your blinds can be scheduled to optimise energy efficiency. For example, during winter, your blinds can be opened to let the sunlight in and naturally warm up your space, reducing heating requirements. Similarly, during summer, your blinds can automatically close during the warmest part of the day, reducing heat gain and your need for air conditioning. It’s a win-win, no matter the season!

Load Reduction

Automated blinds can be part of a larger home automation system that manages your overall energy load. By coordinating with other devices like thermostats, lighting systems, or energy management systems, your blinds and curtains can contribute to load reduction strategies. For instance, if the system detects high energy demand, it can automatically adjust your window furnishings to minimise heat gain or loss, reducing the strain on the HVAC* system and optimising energy consumption.
*HVAC = Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning.

Environmental Awareness

Automating your blinds and curtains can also enhance your awareness of energy consumption and encourage more sustainable habits. By seeing the real-time energy savings and the positive changes in your carbon footprint, you may become more conscious of your own environmental impact in other areas. This increased mindfulness can extend to other aspects of your lifestyle, leading to further eco-friendly choices and behaviours.

How to motorise your existing blinds

Our Type A and Type B retrofit programs enable you to upgrade your existing blinds to motorised blinds using market-leading technology. We have extensive how-to guides and videos on our website that take you step-by-step through the retrofit process, making it easy for you to do it yourself in the comfort of your own home.

• Retrofitting your blinds offers you many benefits on top of energy savings, such as:
• Added convenience and luxury at the touch of a button
• Saving money and reducing waste by upgrading rather than replacing your existing roller blinds
• Less risk for children with the removal of unwanted chains
• The ability to create settings and moods with smart home integration*
• Privacy and security features* to keep your home and family safe

What next?

Decide on your product.
If you need some inspiration, visit our gallery or Instagram page for ideas and real-life photos from our customers.  

Order your free fabric samples.
Once you’ve decided which product you prefer, make use of our free fabric samples. They will allow you to see and feel the fabrics before selecting the one you like best. Not only are our samples FREE, but we also Express Post them to you so you get them super fast.

Measure your windows.
So, if you’ve got a home that could benefit from a refresh, let us help you with our range of how-to videos! The DIY process is easy to follow, and it will make a world of difference to your home, we promise.

Place your order.
Simply jump on our website and place your order via our easy online ordering system.
 
Need some help? You can either contact our customer service team or book a free design consultation with me.
 
Thanks for reading!

Cheers, 
Mike Gubby.