Do Solar Curtains Work?

Heating

• Windows are the primary reason homes are not airtight and lose a lot of heat. Solar curtains work to keep the heat inside your home. The metallic material of the curtains reflects the heat back into the house instead of allowing it to seep out through your windows. This helps to keep your home warmer, while making your heat pump or furnace not have to work so hard. In the long run, this can save you a considerable amount of money.

Cooling

• Solar curtains work almost the same way when it comes to saving money on your cooling bills. Instead of the curtains reflecting the heat back into your home, the outside of the curtain reflects the sun and heat away from your house. Keep the curtains tightly closed, especially during the times of day when the sun shines into the room.

In Combination

• If you do not like the look of the solar curtains, you can use them in combination with more attractive decorative curtains. This method works best if you hang two separate curtain rods. Hang the one for the solar curtain a few inches lower and a few inches narrower than the decorative curtains. This allows the solar curtain to do its work, but it also allows you to close your decorative curtains when you have company and do not want the solar curtain panels showing.

Cost

• Solar curtains can cost anywhere from $5 per panel and up as of the time of publication, depending on the size of the window where you want to hang them. This is an inexpensive way to save money on your heating and cooling bills. Once you buy solar curtains, you can use them over and over again if you only want to use them during one particular season. They do not need washing; instead, simply wipe them off with a damp rag to remove dust. The savings in your utility bills are generally worth the investment.