With so many window treatment options, it can be difficult to choose which blinds you want to buy. So you hear about energy efficient blinds and wonder how much you could actually save. There is an easy way to find out. If you go to an online blind store, you can use an energy calculator to give you an idea of ​​how much you would save based on the square footage of your home.

Here are some other ways to calculate savings.

Honeycomb cellular shades and Fusion shades are the most energy efficient
The double cell honeycomb shade coupled with the fusion roman shade is the most efficient design available today. What you may not realize is that color makes all the difference in the energy efficiency of blinds.

– Choose a light color or glossy surface to reflect light and heat.
– Choose dark colors to absorb heat.

How Sunlight Affects Your Energy Bill
During the summer, windows can cause your energy use to increase by 20 to 50 percent of the total energy used in a home. To give you a more concrete example, a small one foot by one foot window lets in more heat than your entire wall! This can cause your air conditioner to run up to 50 percent more than it should. The right window treatment means energy used goes down, your electric bill goes down, and the sun can’t fade your carpet or furniture.

Blinds and Coefficient
The coefficient measures the ability of the curtains to insulate the house and how well it blocks solar energy. In this case, you want a low number. The lower the number, the better it will do at keeping your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

You can find a coefficient rating on both honeycomb shades and fusion roman shades.

Using the energy calculator to determine how much you will save
Of course, the energy calculator is only an estimate. However, you can get a good idea of ​​how much you can save with the right blinds.

All you have to do is enter the square footage of your home. Then choose from a variety of styles, then estimate your energy savings. You’ll notice that honeycomb cell shades, opaque shades, and even double cell translucent shades top the list.

An average size home can expect to save between $200 and $400 when installing window treatments. Plus, when you choose qualified blinds, you can also get a federal tax break.