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An Ideal Home report says closing curtains around sunset can help slow heat loss through windows and may reduce the need for extra heating. Its writer measured temperature differences of up to 2°C across thermal curtains, but the report did not measure energy use or establish a bill saving.
An Ideal Home report says closing curtains shortly before sunset may help reduce heat loss through windows, though the size of any energy or bill saving is not known. The writer reported a 2°C temperature difference between the front and back of thermal curtains after dark, but did not report a controlled test of heating use or energy consumption.
The writer said they resumed closing curtains early at home over the previous week and found the rooms felt warmer for longer in the evening. Their measurements showed a difference of about 2°C across thermal curtains, less than 1°C across wooden blinds, and about half a degree across standard curtains. These are the writer’s observations in their home, not results from a controlled study.
Stuart Middleton, So Energy’s consumer energy expert, said windows can be a source of heat loss and that curtains add a layer that can slow heat escaping. He said thick, well-fitting or thermally lined curtains can be particularly effective. The report did not provide a measured estimate of energy saved or a reduction in heating bills.
The recommended timing is just before sunset, rather than leaving curtains closed throughout daylight. The report says this allows sunlight to warm rooms during the day before curtains are drawn to limit heat loss after dark. Sunset times vary by location and date, so the writer suggested checking a local weather app and setting a reminder.
Curtains May Reduce Evening Heat Loss
For households trying to keep rooms comfortable without turning up the heating, drawing curtains is a no-cost habit that may help slow heat loss at windows. If a room stays warmer, occupants may choose to run central heating or a portable heater for less time. That is a possible effect, not a saving measured in the report.
The likely benefit varies from home to home. Window type, draughts, curtain fit, fabric and insulation all affect how much heat escapes. The writer’s temperature readings suggest that thermal curtains performed better than the other window coverings tested in their home, but they do not show how much energy a household would save or whether the results would apply elsewhere.
thermal lined curtains for heat insulation
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The Test Compared Window Coverings
The report describes the practice as a seasonal energy-saving measure as evenings grow darker and temperatures fall. It cites earlier advice from consumer campaigner Martin Lewis to close curtains after sunset. The supplied source also mentions energy-price changes and forecasts, but gives no date for those figures, so they should not be treated as a current price update.
In the writer’s home, the comparison covered thermal curtains, wooden blinds, standard curtains and fabric blinds. The reported readings were taken in front of and behind different coverings after sunset. The source does not explain the measuring equipment, exact room conditions, window specifications or whether temperatures were recorded over repeated trials.
The report also describes automated curtain devices that can follow schedules or respond to outdoor brightness. Ideal Home digital editor Becky said she had scheduled a SwitchBot Curtain 3 to close at night during colder months. That is a personal account of using a product, not independent evidence that automation reduces energy use.
“Windows can be a source of heat loss, so drawing your curtains creates an additional layer of insulation that helps slow the rate at which heat escapes.”
— Stuart Middleton, So Energy’s consumer energy expert
No Bill Savings Were Measured
The report does not establish how much energy or money closing curtains saves. It offers no before-and-after utility data, heating-runtime comparison or controlled test. The reported temperature differences apply to one home, and the source does not specify enough testing details to assess how precisely they can be compared.
It is also unclear how results would differ across homes with other glazing, draught levels, room layouts or heating systems. The report says the writer’s curtains were closed after sunset, but does not quantify outdoor conditions or repeat readings across multiple days. The available evidence supports a practical suggestion, not a guaranteed reduction in bills.
Use Sunset as a Practical Cue
Households wanting to try the method can close curtains shortly before local sunset, while leaving them open during daylight when sunlight can warm a room. Checking whether curtains fit closely around the window and whether they are thermally lined may help explain differences in performance. The report offers no basis for predicting a specific saving.
People considering automated curtain devices can use scheduled opening and closing, or, with some products, a light sensor. These are optional tools, and the source does not show that buying one pays for itself through lower bills. Any claim about actual savings would require household energy data measured over a comparable period.
Key Questions
Does closing curtains at sunset save energy?
It may help by slowing heat loss through windows, according to So Energy expert Stuart Middleton. The report does not measure energy use or establish a specific saving.
When should I close my curtains?
The report recommends closing them shortly before sunset, after daylight has had a chance to warm the room. Sunset time changes by location and season.
Which curtains worked best in the reported test?
The writer reported the largest temperature difference—about 2°C—across thermal curtains. The figures came from one home and were not produced by a controlled study.
Can I leave curtains open during the day?
The report’s approach is to leave curtains open while sunlight can enter, then close them near sunset. The amount of benefit will depend on the home and its windows.
Do automated curtains reduce heating bills?
The source describes people using automated schedules but gives no measured evidence that the devices reduce bills or repay their purchase cost.
Source: rss
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