This is a product that is genius in its simplicity. I was first turned on to these shades by a friend of mine. So here is the basic gist. Lovely roman shades that are insulated to cut down on heating costs. Thin enough to be attractive, insulated enough to be high performance. That is it. Custom made, so they fit your windows perfectly. Made from a product known as Thinsulate, a product common in sporting goods (think winter coats for skiers, etc) so it is sure to insulate well without being too bulky. They stay sealed to window with a small track, and this cuts down on drafts.
According to their website:
HeatSaver® provides Nine Times the insulation of Single Glazed Windows. Four
Times the insulation of both Double Glazed and High Performance Windows.
They come in a variety of fabric choices. These seem like a great investment. They sent me a pdf of testimonials, so someone seems happy with them. I think about the fact that we live in Cleveland. Like many others, our house is old and has drafty windows. Being a Victorian, the main floor windows are six feet tall and 2 1/2 feet wide. In order to replace the windows with more energy efficient ones, they need to be wood framed to stay in keeping with the home’s architectural style. Cost is a huge factor here. I learned a couple of years ago, that by hanging new drapes that were heavier we were able to keep more UV summer heat and more cold drafty winter air out. A product like this that seems to be more insulative and seas closer to the casing might be exactly what we need to cut down on those winter heating costs.
I know it is hard to think about winter gas bills in 80 degree July, but now is the best time to get going on a project that will same you big bucks in energy costs over time. I am told there is a tax deduction for home installation as well as a break for commercial applications. Summer cooling costs are not cheap around here with increases in utilities. Check out the Heat Saver Thermal Shades website.
For my fellow geeks, here is some sciency stuff:
Test Data for HeatSaver® Thermal Shades At the end of February 2011 a HeatSaver® Thermal Shade specimen underwent clinical testing at the Architectural Testing facility in St. Paul, MN. The sample shade used consisted of a Thinsulate® C150 core with layers of 1/2 mil aluminized mylar on either side, finished with standard cotton polyester lining and 300 denier nylon. The tests, NFRC 102-2010, are the most recent - and stringent - industry standard. The glazed unit measured 47 1/4” wide x 59” tall (1200mm x 1499mm) and consisted of 2 layers of 1/8” DS Clear with a 1/4” dead air space, wrapped with an aluminum frame. Thus it closely replicated a window configuration common from the 1960s onward. Base Window Test Date: ! ! ! 02/22/11 Base with Attachment Test Date:! ! 02/23/11 Report Date:!! ! ! ! 03/23/11 Test Procedure: U-factor tests were performed in a Guarded Hot Box in accordance with NFRC 102-2010, Test Procedure for Measuring the Steady-State Thermal Transmittance of Fenestration Systems. The average metering indoor air temperature established was 70.41 F. The average cold side air temperature was -0.10 with a side wind velocity of 14.56 mph. Test Duration - Base Window: 1. The test parameters for the base unit were considered stable for two consecutive four hour periods on 02/21/11 and 02/22/11. 2. The thermal test results were derived over a four hour period on 02/22/11. Test Duration - Base with Attachment: 1. The test parameters were considered stable for two consecutive four hour periods on 02/22/11 and 02/23/11. 2. The thermal performance test results were derived over a four hour period on 02/23/11. Results 1. Thermal Transmittance of Test Specimen (Us)! ! 0.82 0.27 Btu/hr•ft2•F 2. Standardized Thermal Transmittance of Test Specimen (Ust) 0.75 0.26 Btu/hr•ft2•F The reported Standardized Thermal Transmittance (Ust) was determined using CTS Method, per Section 8.2(A) of NFRC 102. Test Results Summary: Standardized U-factor (Ust) - Base Window: ! ! ! 0.75 Btu/hr·ft2·F! CTS Method Standardized U-factor (Ust) - Base with Attachment: !! 0.26 Btu/hr·ft2·F CTS Method Percent Reduction Heat Transfer! ! ! ! ! ! ! 65.18 % ©2011 HeatSaver® Energy Systems, Inc. All rights reserved Conclusions: The U Factor of 0.26 listed above equals an R-Value of 3.85. Hence we extrapolate the following. ! ! 1.87 Dbl. Glazed Window!! 0.86 Single Glazed Window ! ! 0.68!! Air film! ! ! ! 0.68 ! ! 2.00!! Dead Air Space! ! 2.00 + 3.85!! HeatSaver®! ! + 3.85 8.40 Total R-Values 7.39 ! ! 0.11 U-Factors! ! 0.13 The additional values listed are established through ColoradoENERGY.org research and accepted standards. The dead air space between the shades and the glass will equal approximately 1 per inch, up to 2 inches after which a convection cycle would negate further gains. Gains or losses due to air infiltration have not been factored in. * The test method above does not include procedures to determine the heat flow due to either air movement through the specimen or solar radiation effects. As a consequence, the thermal transmittance results obtained do not reflect performances which may be expected from field installations due to not accounting for solar radiation, air leakage effects, and the thermal bridge effects that may occur due to the specific design and construction of the fenestration system opening. Therefore, it should be recognized that the thermal transmittance results obtained from this test method are for ideal laboratory conditions and should only be used for fenestration product comparisons and as input to thermal performance analyses which also include solar, air leakage and thermal bridge effects. http://www.heatsavershades.com/ ©2011
