Energy conservation is a big concern for a lot of homeowners these days. The recession has forced many people into stretching every dollar they have and, in general, people are more environmentally aware than they have been in the past. Window treatments are usually not something most people think of when evaluating the energy efficiency of their homes. But, the truth is that installing certain types of coverings for your windows can be one of the most successful methods of saving energy as they can reduce heat loss or gain.

One of the simplest and most effective window treatments for saving energy are cellular or honeycomb shades. If they are correctly installed, they create a sealed air space which traps the heat inside. To accomplish this, the shades should be installed as close to the glass as possible with the sides of the shade held close to the wall. For maximum efficiency in the winter, shades should be raised on the side of the house that receives the most sun during the day and then lowered at night. Dual shades can be even more effective at preventing heat loss and gain as they are highly reflective (white) on one side and heat absorbent (black) on the other. The reflective side should always face the warmest side and they need to be drawn all day to be effective.

If you live in a warmer climate, window blinds might be a better choice than shades. Because the numerous openings between the slats, it is harder to control how much heat you lose in the winter. However, in the case of reducing heat gain, the advantage blinds have over shades is that these slats can be adjusted to control light and ventilation. When completely lowered and closed on a sunlit window, highly reflective blinds can decrease heat gain by around 45%.

Draperies are a little more difficult to generalize about when it comes to energy efficiency because they come in a wide variety of fabrics and colors. The best combination appears to be medium-colored draperies with white-plastic backings as they have been found to reduce heat gain by up to 33%. Compared to other window treatments, draperies also stay cooler in the summer because their pleats and folds lose heat through convection. In the winter, most conventional draperies can reduce heat loss by up to 10% when drawn. If they are hung as close to the window as possible, a cornice is installed at the top and the drapery is sealed at both sides and overlapped in the center, it can pushed to 25%. Generally, draperies are less effective than blinds and shades when it comes to saving energy.

Finding the most energy efficient window treatment is ultimately reliant on the specific insulation needs of your home. People who live in warmer temperatures most of the year would probably benefit more from blinds and drapes, whereas shades would be more useful to those who live in colder climates.

Solar energy is becoming an attractive alternative to conventional and

expensive resources such as fossil fuels. The installation of solar panels

can help augment your energy needs. Although they conversion of the sun’s

energy to electricity is a natural, cost-free process, the solar panels

and their installation can be expensive. Here is a guide on how to make

your own solar panels.

Before making any purchases, decide how many solar panels you will need.

The Internet provides a wealth of information to help you in this area.

Determine how much electricity you require. Obtain information on the

average amounts of sunlight your area receives on a daily basis. By

clicking upon your exact location on the globe on NASA’s Meteorology and

Solar Energy web site, you will see the exact amount of sunlight that

falls upon flat surfaces where you live. Decide whether you would like to

have tilted, flat or adjustable panels. Conduct some research on the

wattage or size of the panels you would like to create. Many web sites

have estimators that instantly calculate the number of panels you will

need based on your energy requirements.

After you have finished your research, the first things you will need to

acquire are quantities of solar cells. If you do not have a local

supplier, you can buy them online. Many people use eBay to purchase either

new or slightly damaged cells. Cells are extremely fragile, so make sure

that your supplier packs them with utmost care. Consider purchasing a few

extra cells in case any are damaged as you construct your panels. Other

items you will need: Plexiglas, plywood, wood strips, paint, caulking

compound, soldering iron, rosin-core solder, solar panel tabbing material

or plain wire, a blocking diode for each panel and a polarized two-pin

Jones plug. You may also want to buy an electrical meter to keep track of

the amperage generated by your panels.

Build a shallow box to house your solar cells, using 3/8″ plywood as the

base, and four strips of wood for the edges. A common measurement for the

wood is ¾” x ¾.” Determine the size of the box by multiplying the

dimensions of the cells by the number you purchase. You may also want to

include a wooden divider for the middle of the box. Drill holes of

approximately one-quarter inch in diameter in the divider. Also drill

these holes in the edges to allow rain to drain.

Once you have applied the edging and divider, you will have two wells in

which to work. Buy some pegboard or any kind of thin rigid material, and

cut it to fit inside each well. Place the pegboard into each well. Insert

the Plexiglas on top of each well. Carefully drill holes into the

Plexiglas and insert one-inch drywall screws to hold it into the well.

Apply several coats of moisture-resistant outdoor paint to all wooden

parts, as well as the pegboard, to protect your panel from the elements.

To prepare your solar cells: If your cells were shipped to you, each cell

may have been coated in wax to protect it from damage. To remove the wax,

put the cells in a pot filled with cold water. Heat the water on a stove,

taking care that the water does not boil. As the water heats, gently tear

the wax off each cell.

On your pegboard, draw a grid based upon the shape of your solar cells.

You may need a small amount of glue or caulk to hold your cells in place.

Gently solder the cells together, using the solder tabs and guides you

will find on each cell. Connect your groups of cells with solar panel

tabbing material or wire. Continue wiring the cells together, running wire

through the vent holes you previously drilled. Drill holes through the

back of the panel for an exit area for the wires.

Mount the diode in the inside of the frame, and anchor it with caulk. Also

caulk the outside of the frame at the place where wires point outward, to

seal them in safely. Connect wires to Jones plug.

About the Author

Shannon Bell writes for
residentialsolarpanels.org a non commercial blog

focused on her Photovoltaic experiences to help people understand how and

why they should save energy starting investing in solar power. She writes

on Solar Energy for Homes
to help people learn how to start save energy from the scratch

and then apply those experience to the next level.