Whether your motivations are monetary or environmental, energy efficiency in the home is becoming more and more important. As much as 40% of UK emissions come from households, and amidst the energy crisis we’ve become much more efficiency-focused as a nation. Energy efficiency isn’t all about solar panels and wind turbines: realistic changes we can make in the home such as smart heating systems, better insulation, and LED lighting all have an impact on our home’s performance.
So, where do shutters come into all of this? As well as being a beautiful addition to any home, fitting securely in your windows to provide extra privacy and safety, plantation shutters are also an energy efficient investment. In this blog, we’ll be explaining some of the ways in which shutters can improve your home’s energy efficiency.
Improved Insulation
We’ve all felt the effects of a draughty window in the winter or a hot bay window in the summer. Double and triple glazing can go a long way to improving the insulation of your windows, but you can take it even further with energy-efficient shutters.
Wood is a natural insulator, which means plantation shutters instantly decrease the amount of heat transfer through your windows, keeping your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter. In the summer, energy-efficient shutters absorb the heat from the outside, holding it and releasing it slowly, keeping the warmth in the space between your windows and the shutters instead of letting it heat your room. They also block out direct sunlight whilst still allowing you to let in light. In the winter months, the shutters create a barrier against cold drafts, stopping heat from escaping through the windows. They fit flush with your window panes to ensure no gaps are left for heat to leave through.
Reduced Energy Consumption
As well as improving the comfort of your space, the enhanced indoor temperature regulation associated with shutters means you won’t find yourself reaching for the thermostat nearly as much. You’ll spend less on heating, which also improves your carbon footprint. This is particularly beneficial in commercial units or offices where the temperature needs to be stable without spending a fortune on air conditioning or central heating.
With increased energy prices and the push towards sustainability, energy-efficient shutters are an essential step towards reduced energy consumption in any space.
Let in More Natural Light
Shutters allow you to control the amount of natural light entering your home: fling them wide open to reveal the windows behind them or adjust the louvres to let in as little or as much as you’d like whilst still maintaining privacy. This reduces the need for artificial lighting during the day, reducing the amount of electricity used and saving money in the long run.
Styles like tier on tier shutters allow you to open the top panels whilst keeping the bottom panels closed, letting light flow through the top whilst keeping your space protected from prying eyes. This is particularly beneficial in bedrooms or rooms which look out onto the road. Installing energy-efficient shutters in your home also means you can block out direct sunlight – keeping your room cool in the summer – without having to sit in the dark.
Increased Durability
High-quality shutters are built to last and require minimal maintenance compared to other window coverings like blinds or curtains. Their durability means that they don’t need to be replaced as often, reducing waste and lowering the amount of energy used in the process of manufacturing new coverings.
Shutters are very easy to maintain and keep clean – they don’t attract dust and mould like fabric curtains and blinds so little effort is required to keep them looking brand new.
Allow Natural Airflow
Shutters can be adjusted to allow airflow while maintaining privacy and security. This natural ventilation can help cool your home without relying on electric fans or air conditioning, further reducing energy use. In the summer, you can keep them closed to prevent direct sunlight from heating your room, whilst opening the windows behind to allow a breeze to flow through. As well as the energy-efficient benefits of this, the increased natural airflow can do wonders for your wellbeing in cold seasons by removing stagnant, musty air without having your home on display to passersby.
Energy Efficient Shutters at Just Shutters
At Just Shutters, we have the widest range of shutter styles in the UK – including some exclusive ranges! You can trust us to create the perfect solution for your home to improve your energy efficiency.
To get started, browse our range of high-quality plantation shutters, or get in touch with us for more information. We’re always happy to hear from you, whether it’s to answer your questions about our shutters and their environment-friendly features, or to start you on your shutter journey!
