New independent research by the University of Salford’s Energy House Labs has demonstrated that blinds and shutters can reduce heat loss through windows by up to 33%*.

Commissioned and funded by the British Blind and Shutter Association (BBSA), the data shows that window blinds and shutters can have a significant positive impact on energy savings.

Blinds and shutters are a proven way to save energy. They should be considered like other building energy efficiency measures and are typically low cost and can make a real difference.

In the winter, during the day when it is sunny, open blinds to benefit from the free solar energy from the sun and close them in the evening to provide extra insulation and reduce heat loss to save energy and money. In summer, the process is reversed and closing the shading during the day can stop heat build up in the room while opening them during the evening when the temperature is cooler allows some of the heat to escape with ventilation.

External shading fitted to the outside of buildings such as venetians and awnings are widely used in warmer countries, acting as a shield to stop the heat entering the building. With rising summer temperatures in the UK, external shading would be effective for areas exposed to direct sunlight.