Did you know energy loss through windows is ten times greater than through walls? 
If you have older windows and are not ready or cannot replace them, energy efficient window treatments may be your answer to savings. Some carefully selected window treatments can reduce heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer.
If you have older windows and are not ready or cannot replace them, energy efficient window treatments may be your answer to savings. Some carefully selected window treatments can reduce heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer.Shades should be mounted as close to the glass as possible with the sides of the shade held close to the wall to establish a sealed air space. You should lower shades on sunlit windows in the summer. Shades on the south side of a house should be raised in the winter during the day, then lowered during the night.
For greater efficiency, use dual shades—highly reflective (white) on one side and heat absorbing (dark) on the other side—that can be reversed with the seasons. The reflective side should always face the warmest side: outward during the cooling season and inward during the heating season. They need to be drawn all day to be effective.
Quilted roller shades, and some types of Roman shades, feature several layers of fiber batting and sealed edges. These shades act as both insulation and air barrier. They control air infiltration more effectively than other soft window treatments.
Several manufacturers have designed two- or three-cell pleated or honeycomb shades with dead air spaces, which increase their insulating value. These shades, however, provide only slight control of air infiltration. You need to caulk and weatherstrip around windows to reduce air leakage.
For greater efficiency, use dual shades—highly reflective (white) on one side and heat absorbing (dark) on the other side—that can be reversed with the seasons. The reflective side should always face the warmest side: outward during the cooling season and inward during the heating season. They need to be drawn all day to be effective.
Quilted roller shades, and some types of Roman shades, feature several layers of fiber batting and sealed edges. These shades act as both insulation and air barrier. They control air infiltration more effectively than other soft window treatments.
Several manufacturers have designed two- or three-cell pleated or honeycomb shades with dead air spaces, which increase their insulating value. These shades, however, provide only slight control of air infiltration. You need to caulk and weatherstrip around windows to reduce air leakage.
Also, layered treatments, like layered clothing, can trap dead air helping to control the temperature but effectiveness depends on the number of layers and degree of air penetration. Drapery panels are the most common window treatment. More folds and fuller panels result in more trapped air. Lined, even interlined draperies are better insulators than unlined while separate linings are slightly better than attached linings. 
Combining several kinds of energy saving coverings such as draperies or cornices with blinds, shades or shutters help you get the most energy efficient solution possible.
Combining several kinds of energy saving coverings such as draperies or cornices with blinds, shades or shutters help you get the most energy efficient solution possible. Additional sources: U.S. Department of Energy, J. Simpson
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