I’ve been in the market for a whole set of blinds or curtains for the new house. It wouldn’t have been so urgent had (1) the afternoon sun be creeping into my LEGO pirate ship display above (which is a big no-no!) and (2) my toddler having a hard time going to sleep in the afternoon because we don’t have a single dim room.
The authorities might be attempting to drill into us the importance of Grade A boilers and other heating devices that can supposedly save us money, although we have another electric suggestion. Motorized blinds may have been some fancy gadget several years ago, but their capabilities over recent times have soared through the roof. Their features now mean that you can use them to great effect when it comes to temperature control, as we will now find out.
Firstly, let’s get to the main reason why these blinds are becoming such an efficient tool in the modern household. Once upon a time they were operated via a simple button, which would allow them to open and close freely. Now, things have changed. Manufacturers have installed smart programmable timers, which allow you to set exactly what time of day they open – and just how much you want the slats to tilt depending on the type of blind you have installed.
For the house which is desperate to keep boiler use down to a minimum, this should not be underestimated. Let’s take the summer as a prime example and as everyone knows, when it’s hot the most effective way to manage heat is to block it all out. Unfortunately, this also happens to be something of an “anti-social” way of managing the problem – after all, who wants the blinds closed all day, every day with no natural light peering through?
This is where the programmable timer steps in and can work an absolute treat. You can now set it to close the blinds only during the peak sunlight hours, and re-open during the later parts of the day. It’s all about getting the most out of the natural conditions – and the same rules apply if it’s cold.
For example, even in the thick of winter there are hours where the sun can make an appearance. It might be cold outside, but this sunlight shining through your glazing can make all the difference to your internal room temperature. Therefore, keeping the blinds open during the peak periods can again reap significant rewards and allow the property to heat naturally, rather than manually through a boiler.
Then, when lightness does start to fall, it’s time to insulate that room through the magic timer again. The blinds add another layer of insulation and by shutting them when it’s dark, you’ve just lessened your reliance on your expensive boiler again.
Of course, we’re by no means suggesting that motorized blinds are going to solve all temperature-related problems. However, there’s no doubt that they can make a terrific difference. Additionally, if you combine them with a type of blind that is renowned to assist with thermal efficiency, such as the insulated shade, you can make an even bigger difference. The point we’re trying to make is that these systems are no longer for “showâ€, they can be used extremely efficiently if used in the correct way.
