As temperatures drop, homeowners are seeking quick, low-cost ways to stay cosy without cranking up the heat. A common tactic is to utilise your curtains or shutters during the winter season, but does keeping your curtains shut all day actually make your home warmer?
Some argue that leaving them open will allow heat from the sun to enter, but others disagree, saying the best option is to keep them closed. So to find out what the best solution really is, I spoke with three experts who offered clear insights on how curtains influence heat loss and indoor temperature. Here’s what they said.
Nicholas Auckland, heating and energy expert at Trade Radiators, shared: “If you want to keep your home warm, then keeping your curtains closed is the best option.
“This is especially the case once the sun goes down, however, even the sun in winter isn’t as strong as it is in summer, and therefore doesn’t have as much of a heating effect on individual rooms like it does in the hottest months.
“No matter whether your windows are double-glazed or not, windows are still one of the biggest sources of heat loss in a home.
“Having curtains closed acts as an extra layer of insulation between your home and the cold of your windows, and helps trap warm air inside rather than it getting lost to your windows.
“I recommend opting for thick, thermal, well-fitting curtains as these will make the biggest difference. The thinner the curtain, the less protection you have between your windows.
“As well as this, if you have poorly fitting curtains, then there’s likely to be draughts around the sides, letting warm air out and cold air in.”
Ross Evans, co-founder of ShuttersUp, also agreed that curtains or rather “shutters,” should remain closed. He said: “One longer-term solution for warming up the home in the winter months is to opt for window shutters.
“One study found that closed shutters reduce heat loss by up to 51%, outperforming almost all blinds and curtains when it comes to energy efficiency.
“We’ve noticed more homeowners viewing shutters as a smart response to both cold winters and increasingly warm summers.
“In the winter, shutters help retain heat, while in the summer they keep rooms cool, shaded and naturally ventilated.
“They reduce the need for heating and cooling systems throughout the year, which helps to lower both energy use and carbon footprint.”
However, Dave Cawley, Finance Director at Health Service Discounts, suggests that thermal curtains are best. Dave said: “Thermal-lined curtains are a simple way to keep warmth inside your home.
“They act as a barrier against the cold and help retain heat in your rooms. Research from the University of Salford shows that closing curtains at night can reduce heat loss by 15–17%.”
Nonetheless, all experts agree that closing your curtains will make your home warmer during winter.
Dave does admit that during sunny days, it is okay to take advantage of the natural warmth. However, it is crucial to keep them closed after dark.
Other tips?
Nicholas Auckland suggested other ways to keep your homes warmer without using extra energy. He listed:
Use draught excluders around external doors.Ensure that large pieces of furniture aren’t blocking radiators, allowing heat to circulate properly.Use draught excluders around windows that may be leaking air.Lay rugs on bare floors.Keep internal doors closed to maintain heat in heated rooms.Use thermal curtains/blinds and keep them closed as much as possible, especially on dark days.
