As a Wenatchee native, you know how hot and dry our summers are each year. While this is a normal part of our environment, it does present us with challenges in keeping our homes cool. Fortunately, window shades are an ideal option as a passive, energy-efficient solution for reducing indoor temperatures. As your trusted, local expert in custom window treatments, we at the Blind Guy are going to take this opportunity to walk you through the energy-saving benefits of window shades, different types of heat-reducing Wenatchee window treatments, and how we can help you find the best window shade Wenatchee options for your home.
The Science of Solar Heat Gain:
Solar heat gain is the way in which the radiation of the sun turns into heat. When speaking in terms of home solar heat gain, this process occurs when the sun shines onto the window. The window does three things: reflects, absorbs, and transmits.
First, it reflects some of the radiation away, letting it bounce elsewhere outside. Second, it absorbs some of the sun’s energy, warming the window up, and allowing some of that heat gain to pass into the home. Third, it transmits some of the radiation directly into the home to heat surfaces inside the house, like how a couch cushion feels warm when it’s directly in the sun by a window.
Therefore, when the sun is shining on a window, some of that sunlight converts into solar heat gain inside the house. While this can provide pleasant, natural heating during the cold winter months, it can severely increase a home’s internal temperature in the summer. This, in turn, can skyrocket utility bills, place a heavy strain on an HVAC system, and negatively impact a home’s comfort level.
7 Ways Homeowners Benefit from Wenatchee Window Treatments
When contemplating an investment in window treatments, homeowners often get caught up in the cost. Beyond the fact that they can improve their homes with durable, long-lasting products, here are seven benefits of window shades Wenatchee homeowners can take advantage of, especially in our hot summers!
#1: Stopping Solar Heat Gain
One of the biggest advantages of window shades for Wenatchee homeowners is their ability to reduce solar heat gain. When installed properly, window treatments can block or reflect much of the sunlight before it passes through the glass, significantly reducing the amount of heat that enters your home.
#2: Improving Insulation
In addition to stopping solar heat gain through direct sunlight, window shades also add a layer of insulation around the window. This extra barrier helps slow down heat transfer, even the kind that comes from the windowpane warming up after absorbing the sun’s rays.
#3: Reducing Direct Light
Window shades not only block solar heat gain, but they also block direct light. This provides a plethora of benefits to the homeowner. For example, blocking direct light can reduce glare (especially in rooms with screens), protect furniture and prized belongings from UV damage, and enhance the privacy of your home.
#4: Lowering Cooling Costs
By blocking or minimizing solar heat and direct light gained through your windows with shades, you can naturally reduce the indoor temperature of your home. Not only does this decrease your need to run the HVAC constantly, but it can also lower your energy consumption and increase your home comfort.
#5: Extending an HVAC’s Lifespan
Speaking of reduced HVAC use, another one of the significant advantages of window shades Wenatchee homeowners benefit from is an extended lifespan of their HVAC system. Like with any machine, reducing consistent or high-strain requests on the system means that it will last longer. With HVAC systems being an expensive home component, any reduction in repair or replacement costs is always a worthwhile investigation.
#6: Getting a Kickback from Rebates
A final benefit of window shades Wenatchee homeowners benefit from is the opportunity for rebates or energy-efficiency incentives. According to the IRS, if you make qualified energy-efficient improvements to your home after Jan. 1, 2023, you may qualify for a tax credit up to $3,200.
However, we do want to note that the IRS has a stipulation, “Beginning in 2025, for each item of qualifying property placed in service, no credit will be allowed unless the item was produced by a qualified manufacturer and the taxpayer reports the PIN for the item on their tax return.”
For example, one of the top suppliers we work with, Alta, is a qualified manufacturer. With select energy-efficient Alta Window Fashions Honeycomb and Cellular Shades, you can essentially earn 30% of the purchase price back in the form of a tax credit (up to a maximum annual amount of $1,200).
#7: Enhancing Design and Aesthetics
While decreasing solar heat and saving money are top benefits, homeowners also benefit from enhancing the design and aesthetics of their homes with window shades. Window treatments come in a range of styles, colors, and materials to match Wenatchee home interiors. With custom sizing for perfect window coverage and sleek finishes, homeowners benefit from dual-function options that offer both energy control and visual appeal. Not only will this add to the appeal of your home, but it is an excellent selling point for the future.
Best Types of Window Shades for Summer Cooling:
Solar Shades:
Solar shades are one of the best Wenatchee window treatments to reduce heat and glare without blocking views. Coming in a wide range of opacities, these window shades offer any home a clean, modern style.
Graber Blinds offers a selection of solar shades made of sustainable, earth-friendly materials, with some fabrics made from ocean-recycled plastic.
Cellular Shades (Honeycomb):
Cellular (also known as Honeycomb) shades trap air in pockets to insulate windows. Coming in multiple cell styles and a range of textures, fabrics, and light control options, this window shade tirelessly aids in keeping a home cool in the summer.
Alta Window Fashions offers child and pet-friendly honeycomb shades with motorization options. With minimal effort, you can automate your window treatments to lift and lower throughout the day to get maximum energy savings.
Roman Shades:
Roman shades provide an elegant look with options for heat-blocking liners. The thick fabric, especially when paired with a liner, expertly blocks excess heat from the sun, creating an insulating barrier between the window and the home’s interior.
Graber Blinds offers roman shades in three distinct style types: classic, tailored, and natural. Each option allows the homeowner to style their window shades to perfectly complement their home while benefiting from enhanced functionality.
Roller Shades:
Roller shades are simple, sleek, and available with light-filtering or blackout fabrics. With versatile solutions for your windows, there is endless opportunity to tailor your space while taking advantage of their energy efficiency.
Alta Window Fashions offers roller shades in a wide range of fabrics, colors, and opacities, with the additional option for motorization. With their panel track option, you can even mount the window treatment on the ceiling for a savvy room divider – perfect for those plant lovers who want their green babies to get natural sunlight!
Of course, before purchasing, we recommend that you review your manufacturer’s guidelines on which products are available for rebates if you are interested in a tax credit.
Why Professional Installation Matters:
When it comes to Wenatchee window treatments, professional installation does matter. You benefit from expert guidance in selecting the right product for window orientation and sun exposure, and you also get a precision fit. Professional installers personally come to your home to measure each of your window casings prior to ordering your window shades. This precision measuring guarantees a tight fit, often beyond the skillset of your average home DIYer. This precision fit, in turn, translates to maximum sun blocking and energy savings.
Plus, when you go with a professional installer, you can rest assured that your product will sustain long-term durability and have warranty protection should anything go wrong.
Why Choose Blind Guy of Tri-Cities and Wenatchee?
Wenatchee homeowners looking to lower summer cooling costs, increase indoor comfort, and enhance the look of their home with stylish, functional window treatments, look no further than Blind Guy of Tri-Cities and Wenatchee. As a locally owned and operated company with deep knowledge of Eastern Washington’s climate, we offer our clients the neighborhood touch.
We offer insights into what will work best for them and their homes based on our years of experience working in this region. Known for our exceptional service, in-home consultations, and satisfaction guarantees, our clients trust us to provide them with the highest level of service and quality.
Plus, we partner with a variety of manufacturers, giving our clients the opportunity to take advantage of a wide range of custom window shade options for all home types and get energy credits, too!
Ready to cool your Wenatchee home the smart way? Schedule a free in-home consultation with Blind Guy of Tri-Cities and Wenatchee and explore the perfect shade solutions for your windows.