Closing curtains or blinds before darkness falls each day can make bedrooms warmer and reduce heating costs, according to a British Gas smart energy engineer. The simple daily task takes just five seconds and requires no thermostat adjustment.
Why timing matters for curtains and blinds
Jessica Rawstron, a smart energy engineer at British Gas, says window-dressing habits can instantly make a home feel warmer. Drawing curtains or blinds only at bedtime means households lose heat throughout the evening, especially as windows are "one of the most common areas for heat loss" in colder weather.
Energy experts at Your NRG explained, "Blinds reduce heat loss by 13 to 14%; curtains can cut heat loss by 15 to 17%." With the clocks going back, darkness falls at approximately 5pm, so drawing window dressings before then is advisable.
Maximising natural warmth during the day
The following day, opening curtains as soon as daylight breaks lets in the sun's natural warmth, cutting reliance on central heating. Jessica advised, "If you've got curtains, close them before darkness hits or while you're out of the house and keep that lovely heat where it should be – inside."
To further reduce heat loss, she recommended, "Get yourself a pair of thermal curtains." Your NRG noted that correctly fitted thermal curtains can "improve insulation by up to 25%".
DIY alternative for budget-conscious households
For those unable to afford premium double-layered blinds or curtains, energy efficiency specialists at Electric Radiators Direct suggested using spare blankets or bath towels attached with safety pins to the reverse of existing curtains, "adding an extra layer of insulation".
They advised, "Close them at night but open them during the day to let in sunlight and natural heat."
