Beautiful Energy Savers Discover how window covering products can help you
Windows are energy holes Windows were once called ‘wind holes’. Fortunately, today’s double glazed windows do a good job of preventing unwanted air flow. However, closed windows still offer very little resistance to the flow of heat. Windows are, in fact, ‘energy holes’. Compared to the well insulated walls and roofs of modern homes, standard double glazed windows allow 10 times more heat to flow through them.
They also permit radiant energy to enter the home, as opposed to conduction through the walls and roof. Thermal radiation accounts for a large portion of the energy in natural sunlight. Radiant energy entering through the windows, particularly in the summer, will significantly increase the temperature within the home. In the winter season the opposite applies.
So, despite the fact that windows make up only about 10% of a home’s insulated shell, up to 50% of the home’s heating energy pours through them.
By minimising heat loss from a home in winter and reducing the amount of radiant energy permitted to enter the home in summer the amount of energy needed to heat or cool the property to a particular temperature can be significantly reduced. This contributes significantly to the reduction of CO2 emission and thus global warming. Not only this, but also a saving on your energy bills.
“Since I have chosen for Duette® Shades to cover all my windows I was surprised to notice that my energy bill has been reduced.”
2
for more information: www.luxaflex.com/energysaver
Silhouette® Shades
Plissé Shade
The benefits of window coverings Three ways to save energy Double paned windows with window coverings are ideal for all seasons. They act as insulators to retard the heat flow out in the winter, and vice versa in the summer. Window coverings also help to either block or enhance the flow of solar radiation. Closing window coverings will reduce the radiant contribution of the light and also reduce the conduction of thermal energy through the window. An air space is created between the blinds and the window that, since air is an outstanding insulator, increases the resistance to heat flow. In other words, if it’s hotter outside than inside, keeping blinds closed can help reduce air movement that helps transfer heat inside the house.
In winter, window coverings help keep the heat inside the house by reducing the heat flow out. Luxaflex® Window Styling offers the most extensive range of window covering products on the market. Our products significantly impact energy efficiency, protect against UV damage to furniture and provide insulation at the window. Defined style and innovation are the foundation of the Luxaflex® brand and these values are represented across our window covering collections which bring beauty, style and comfort as well as energy saving benefits to your home.
Installing Luxaflex® Window Styling in your home can reduce heating, cooling and lighting energy needs in three significant ways: 1. Insulation
2. Control solar heat (reflection)
3. Optimal use of daylight
WINTER
SUMMER
summer Reduce heat flow (heat loss and heat gain) through the windows
winter
Control solar heat (thermal energy from the sun) by allowing it in winter but reducing it in summer
Enhance daylighting (the use of natural light) by diffusing and dispersing sunlight deep into a room
3
Plissé Shades
Plissé Shades
1. Insulation Heat flow through windows is graphically shown in the infrared photo on the right, where the red areas indicate energy loss. The dramatic colour difference between the walls and windows shows the contrast in resistance to heat flow. Question: How do we make the windows more like the walls? Answer: Add insulation with window coverings, that also control light and privacy and add a fashion statement to the room. The insulation capacity of window coverings is shown in the two infrared images on the right. The first image - a room without window coverings shows a blue window surface on the inside of the room. The blue area indicates low temperatures and stimulates cold air in wintertime. The second image - same room with window coverings - shows a red surface on the inside of the room. The red area indicates higher temperatures and helps you keeping your room warm in wintertime. The difference is quite dramatic and can save you money in energy costs.
“It was only that the dealer advised me to choose my window coverings not only for its beauty but also for its insulating properties.”
4
for more information: www.luxaflex.com/energysaver
room without window coverings
same room with window coverings
Duette® Shades
Duette ® Shades Duette® Shades are a perfect solution for better indoor climate management through its cellular structure. Duette® Architella® is one of the latest innovations from Luxaflex®. This shade features a honeycomb pleated fabric construction with three air pockets, making it one of the most distinctive and energy efficient shades available. In winter, significant amounts of heat escapes from buildings through glass windows. Duette® Architella® Shades double a standard double glazing window’s insulating properties, leading to considerable savings on energy bills. In summer, many buildings use energy for cooling as solar radiation and heat enters through the windows. Opaque Duette® Architella® Shades cut down solar heat gain by a factor of five, significantly reducing cooling costs and creating a comfortable indoor climate.
Duette® Architella® is a patented ‘honeycomb within a honeycomb’ pleated shade, featuring an innovative fabric construction with 3 air pockets, making it one of the most distinctive and energy efficient shades available.
“I never thought my Luxaflex ® Duette® Shades help to keep the warmth inside during the winter.”
5
Vertical Blinds
Roller Blinds
2. Control solar heat The earth receives an enormous amount of solar energy. In summer, we don’t want that powerful energy entering our homes to become heat. Which is why you need a window covering that effectively reduces solar heat gain. When choosing products, opt for white or light colours. In summer, it’s important to reflect as much solar energy as possible right back out of the window before it becomes heat.
6
for more information: www.luxaflex.com/energysaver
In winter, to reduce heating energy consumption, take advantage of as much free energy from the sun as you can. This means raising or opening the window covering whenever direct sunlight is shining on the window and closing the window covering at night when most heat energy is lost.
Topar®
Duette® Duo Tone
One of the most effective strategies to reduce solar heat gain is to reflect the unwanted radiation back to the outside. To increase the reflective properties of Plissé Shades, Roller Blinds or Vertical Blinds, Luxaflex® Topar® coated fabrics are recommended.
In addition the Duette® Duo Tone fabric with a white window facing fabric, performs best with respect to the reflection of the sun, causing less heat gain in the summer.
Topar® is a long lasting, coloured, reflective coating that also has humidity-resistant and dirt-repelling properties. These blinds combine stylish window treatments with superb control of renewable daylight, Topar® enhances their solar heat reflecting properties, leading to a reduced demand for cooling energy.
Venetian Blinds Thermostop This gold-coloured coating reflects the sun very effectively.
“I selected Luxaflex ® Roller Blinds for its nice colour and fabric quality but another advantage is that the Topar ® coating helps to keep out the heat as well.”
Venetian Blind
7
Silhouette速 Shades
3. Optimal use of daylight Natural light entering the home is important for both visual comfort and general well-being. Using natural light to illuminate home interiors is called daylighting. With good window design and the right Luxaflex速 Window Styling, daylighting can provide most, if not all, daytime light needs. Saving significant energy and money. One of the biggest problems homeowners face is direct sunlight. It simply creates too much contrast in a room. Dark areas seem darker and sunlit bright areas are harsh and glaring. The goals of daylighting are to even the intensity of incoming light, reduce glare and reflection and bring the light deeper into the room.
Without window coverings the incoming daylight makes the room too bright and creates glare and reflection.
The best way to do this is by diffusing the light. Silhouette速 Shades are in this respect a perfect choice. They are unique and extremely versatile window shades; soft as silk, elegant as a curtain and practical as a venetian blind.
With window coverings the daylight is diffused evenly across the entire room creating a pleasant and welcoming atmosphere.
8
for more information: www.luxaflex.com/energysaver
Roman Shade Top Down/Bottom Up
Variozone® Luxaflex® Variozone® is a highly functional Venetian Blind, enabling the user to adjust various zones of the blind in different ways. While some areas of the blind may be completely closed, for example to prevent inconvenient glare on a computer screen, other zones may be kept fully or partially open to let light into the room. Slats may be closed at eye level to prevent passersby from peeking in, while lower or higher level slats can stay open to let sunlight enter. Going for optimal light control, Luxaflex® Variozone® Blinds reduce the need for artificial light and can save energy consumption.
Top Down/Bottom Up If you have problems protecting your house from strong sunlight or curious neighbours yet do not want darkness by keeping your blinds closed, then Luxaflex® has the answer. Top Down/Bottom Up option blinds allow the light to filter into the room through the top of the window whilst at the same time shading the bottom of the window and providing privacy. Naturally, these blinds can also be drawn at the top and opened at the bottom as required. This option is available with Luxaflex® Venetian Blinds, Roman Shades, Plissé and Duette® Shades.
Variozone® offers an ideal combination of keeping out bright, unwanted sunshine and ensuring privacy whilst still allowing daylight into a room. The slats can be adjusted so that the blind can be both partially open and partially closed.
“With the Top Down/Bottom Up solution of Luxaflex ® I use artificial light a lot less than before.” 9
Choosing shades of green
Duette® Architella® Shades Duette® Shades
Insulation
Control Solar Heat
Optimal use of daylight
+ + ++
+++
++
+ ++
Nano Roller Blinds
+ ++
+ ++
++++
Duo Tone
Top Down-Bottom Up
+ + ++
++++ Top Down-Bottom Up
Roller Blinds
++
+ + ++
+
Topar®
Venetian Blinds Vertical Blinds
++
+ + ++
++++
Thermostop
Thermostop
VarioZone®/Megaview™
++
+ + ++
++ +
Topar®
Plissé Shades
++
Roman Shades
+ ++
+ + ++
++++
Topar®
Top Down-Bottom Up
++
With lining
Silhouette® Shades
+
++
++++
Facette® Shades
++
++
++
Wood Blinds
++
++
++
+
+
++
Japanese Design Collection
+ ++ + + ++ ++ +
Excellent Very Good Good Reasonable
NB A light colour is more effective controlling solar heat than a dark colour.
Insulation, solar heat control and daylighting, the three important energy-efficiency functions performed by Luxaflex® Window Styling. To a degree, all our products serve at least one of these functions. The chart above gives indications of the best performing products in the various Luxaflex® product lines.
10
++++ Top Down-Bottom Up
Your Luxaflex® dealer can help you further narrow your choices to find the window covering that’s just right for your needs. For an indication how much you can save on your energy bill using Luxaflex® Window Coverings, visit www.luxaflex.com/energysaver
for more information: www.luxaflex.com/energysaver
Facette速 Shades
11
No matter what style or product you choose, you can be sure that the Luxaflex® brand guarantees excellent quality, innovation and years of pleasure. Go to the website to create your own mood board or to determine your preference and choice based on the ‘product selector’. Luxaflex® dealers can give you more detailed advice and will allow you to try the diverse products.
Designed by Luxaflex . Inspired by you. ®
Facette ® Shades
Vertical Blinds
Soft fabrics for subtle light control
Elegant simplicity for larger windows
Roman Shades
Roller Blinds
Decorate your windows with a tailored, textured look
Express your style with an individual touch
Silhouette ® Shades
Venetian Blinds
Gentle translucency for an endless variety of moods
Create light control and privacy with this design classic
Wood Blinds
Plissé Shades
Nature’s warmth and beauty, in your home
Uniquely decorative, with a shape that suits your style
Duette ® Shades
Japanese Design Collection
Filtering light and insulating your home all year round
Create your own minimalist Japanese environment
for more information: www.luxaflex.com All rights reserved. Unauthorised copying is prohibited. Technical data subject to change without notice. No rights can be derived from copy, text pertaining to illustrations or samples. Subject to changes in materials, parts, compositions, designs, versions, colours etc., even without notice. ® Registered trademark. A HunterDouglas® product. © Copyright HunterDouglas® 2009.