With the high cost of energy to heat and cool the home any suggestion that will reduce usage is welcomed. After all the wall and ceiling insulation issues have been dealt with there is still more that can be done. Installing thermo drapes will cut down on heat lost through the windows or heat gain during the cooling period. Thermo drapes and curtains can save you money.

Thermal draperies are made of heavy fabric panels to trap heat. They share many of the same properties as black out curtains but thermal drapes are heavier because they have a heavy liner. Thermal drapes trap heat to keep a room cool in the summer and warm in the winter. They are also effective for reducing noise from outside.

Thermal drapes form a pocket of air between the window and the living space. A single pane window has an insulation value of about R-1. Double pane windows increase it to R-2 or R-3. Heavy drapery can add an insulation R-value of up to R-7. That means it can be a much better investment to replace your drapes than to replace your windows when it comes to heating and cooling costs.

Thermal drapes are basically a curtain that has a liner. You don't have to replace your curtains to have a thermal drape. All you have to do is just add a liner to your existing curtains and you will have a thermo curtain. However, curtains with added liners may not be as effective as a regular thermal curtain because they may leave air gaps for warm air to leak through.

During cold winter weather conventional draperies can reduce heat loss by up to only 10%. Thermo drapes can reduce the heat lost up to as much as 30%. To maximize the benefit of thermal drapes insulating abilities close the drapes tightly at night.

For the best results drapes should be hung as close to window glass as possible. They should also make contact on a windowsill or the floor. The fewer gaps between the window and draperies the better will be the insulation. For maximum effectiveness install a cornice or valance over the top of the drapes or use drapes that extend to the ceiling. In addition, seal the drapes at both sides and overlap them in the center. Use Velcro or magnetic tape strips to attach drapes to the walls and floor. Overlapping two drapes that are hung together instead of just one will create an even tighter air space.

Replacing standard curtains with thermal drapes and curtains for your home will lower your energy cost, keep your home more comfortable and save you money. It is an easy project for the DIY homeowner.

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