Cellular Insulating Shades Energy Efficiency

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Understanding Energy Cost Saving and Side Tracks Significant Benefits

What Does It All Mean? Understanding the Terminology

R-Value
You may have heard it before: R-Value. But what exactly is it and what does it mean?

Very simply, R-value is a measure of a given material's resistance to heat flow - how well it resists heat gain or loss. In short, the higher the R-value, the better the insulation it will provide for you.

R-Value and your Windows
Your windows themselves have an R-value. A typical window has an R-value ranging from 0.9 to 3.0. (To put this in perspective, the insulation that is used to build a home today has an R-value in the low 40s).

Several factors influence the R-value of your windows:

Type of glazing material
Number of layers of glass
Size of the air space between the glass layers
Thermal resistance of the frame and spacer materials
"Tightness" of the installation

R-Value and your Window Treatments
Adding cellular shades to your windows can block as much as 62% of the heat transfer

through a window pane (according to Alliant Energy).

Windows are the greatest source of wasted energy in your home. That's because heat always moves from warm to cold areas. In winter, warm air from inside your home is trying to escape through your windows. In summer, the sun beating down conducts heat quite easily through your windows, heating up your home and straining air conditioners. In the end, you pay for this extra use of energy to heat and cool your home.

Energy efficient window treatments are one easy way to conserve energy and reduce your utility bills. To be effective, window treatments must trap air between the shade or blind and the window glass. Our family of products has a wide range of insulation that act as a barrier to heat flow, helping you save money on energy costs. In particular, our EnergySmart shades provide superb insulating capabilities. Depending on your needs one or more of our products will likely provide you with your desired level of comfort, ambiance, and value.

How do other types of window treatments compare to Cellular Shades?
For More info see our R-value comparison charts....

Energy Efficiency Chart for Cellular Shades
	R-Value Single Pane	R-Value Double Pane		Shading Coefficient	UV LIght Transmission	Visible Light Transmission
Cellular Shades
EcoSmart	3.7	4.6	0.38		1%	11%
Metro Flame Resistant	3.3	4.3	0.27		<1%	NA
Room Darkening*	4	5	0.35		0.01%	3%
Baritone	2.5	3.5	0.44		NA	NA
Virtuoso	2.4	3.4	0.44		1%	15%

*Based on statistical reported values of equivalent products with the same construction.

Single Pane - a single thickness of glass in a window or door; found in half of America's homes.

Double Pane - two panes of glass, separated by an air space (sometimes gas-filled) to improve insulation against heat transfer, found in most new houses

EcoSmart, Metro, Room Darkening, Baritone, Virtuoso and Fanfare are EnergySmart insulating cellular fabrics. EnergySmart insulating cellular fabrics can aid in keeping homes more comfortable year round while helping to reduce energy costs.

A Quick Guide to Window Treatment Energy Saving Effectiveness

Two numerical values can help you easily compare the relative energy saving strengths of any window treatment are their R-Value and Shading Coefficient.

R-Value is primarily used as a measure of comfort in winter and indicates a fabric's ability to reduce the flow of heat through it. The higher the R-value, the better its resistance to heat loss or gain. A double honeycomb cellular shade (like our EcoSmart line) with its high R-value has superb insulating values which can result in substantial energy savings, year after year.

Shading Coefficient is important in hot weather and indicates a fabric's ability to reduce heat flow from the outside through a window shade to inside your home. A shading coefficient of 0.35 means 65% of the heat stays outside. On a hot day, heat coming in through your windows can raise room temperature by 15-20 degrees and make your air conditioning work two to three times harder. A lower shading coefficient translates into less heat gain, more reflected heat, and lower cooling costs for you.

Two other comfort-factors you might want to consider when selecting your shades or blinds:

Light Transmission, UV - Although, not visible to the human eye, ultraviolet light from the sun can fade wood floors, carpets, and furniture after prolonged exposure. UV blockage ratings measure a fabric's ability to keep these harmful rays from passing though the shade.
Light Transmission, Visible - A measure of the amount of light passing through a shade that you can see. The lower the value, the more "room darkening" the shade will be, and less likely that light will pass through it.

Insulating Shades for Energy Savings Made in USA
EcoSmart Shades 4 Laurette Dr. - Essex Junction, VT 05452 1-877-966-3678