I stayed in a bed-and-breakfast in the mountains on a chilly weekend this fall and they had insulated cellular window shades that the owner swears by. Do shades like that lower heat bills enough to make them worth the price?
It’s tough to say. These shades do reduce the escape of indoor heat through windows and they help you feel warmer. The amount that they lower heat bills depends on how much you’re able to turn down the house thermostat as a result, and that depends on how drafty/cold your windows are without shades. (The leakier the windows are, the more of a difference the shades will make.) It also depends on something immeasurable, which is the temperature that feels comfortable for you. So, I’m sorry that I can’t give you an exact answer about whether or not you’d get savings that would outweigh the shades’ purchase and installation costs in a reasonable time.
Whether you use insulated window treatments or just heavy curtains, covering a window is just one way to increase your comfort near windows. Here are some others: Repair any cracked panes and glazing, run a bead of caulk around window frames, and use side-mount sash locks to hold windows firmly in place. Block drafts through sash-weight pulley openings by using pulley seals. Use inexpensive window weatherization kits, available at hardware stores. Thanks for writing in and stay warm!
Li Ling for The Home Team