Bespoke shutters are not only a stylish addition to your home, but they can also help enhance energy efficiency.
The UK government has outlined their aims to bring all homes up to a minimum Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of C by 2035. By 2030, the poorest of these homes are expected to reach this standard.
To achieve this, housing associations, councils, and landlords are looking at various ways to reduce the energy consumption of these households.
In this blog, we’ll explore how bespoke shutters can help reduce energy loss in the home.
What are Bespoke Shutters?
There are a diverse variety of sustainable shutters available across the UK, coming in many sizes.
The majority of shutters are made from wood, MDF, or another synthetic material.
Typically formed into a set of solid strips set into a frame, the frame is placed inside the window.
Each set of shutters features a built-in mechanical system, but it is not complex.
Instead, it operates through a simple mechanism that allows for easy opening and closing.
These shutters are commonly referred to as plantation shutters, which can be installed individually or as part of a complete window system.
How Do Bespoke Window Shutters Reduce Energy Usage?
There are several ways in which these bespoke shutters can impact energy usage within the home. This is largely achieved by reducing thermal energy loss.
Reduces Heat Loss Within Rooms
About 30% of a home’s energy is lost through its windows. Having any form of window covering, however, has an immediate effect on this figure.
While heavy curtains are a common solution, they are less effective than a set of shutters, particularly in terms of saving on energy bills.
A room with windows equipped with shutters will experience a noticeable decrease in energy usage as less thermal energy is required to maintain warmth.
A single room fitted with bespoke shutter blinds offers a meaningful reduction in the energy needed to heat the home. This is why outfitting an entire home can offer even further improvements.
Improves the Overall Heat Retention of the Home
When the entire home utilises window shutters, there is a significant improvement in overall heat retention.
Even when they are not part of a full window system, they’ll act as an effective counter to heat loss.
This is because they help to improve the thermal envelope of the entire building.
Otherwise, even with improved insulation in the walls, bare windows would act as an opening for energy to escape through.
Reduces Need for Heating During Warmer Months
During the hottest months, they can even remove the need to use energy to warm the home.
A home equipped with bespoke shutter blinds can better regulate thermal energy.
Trapping the passive energy of the environment inside the home. Therefore removing the need to utilise a gas or electric heating system whatsoever.
You can read more about regulating your home temperature during summer in a previous blog of ours.
Cost-Effective Retrofit Measure
Using bespoke window shutters as part of a window system in the home is significantly less costly than other measures.
As an energy efficiency measure, it’s one of the most cost-effective available.
With research showing that over 50% of homes in the UK fall under an EPC rating of D or worse, the cost of retrofitting is a significant part of the conversation.
That is why a non-intrusive, low-cost, energy-efficient system, such as Flutter Shutter, is so relevant.
Our system combines a bespoke shutter design with a thermal blind to create a window solution that delivers performance comparable to triple glazing.
However, it is several times more affordable to install, making it a far more accessible option for the homes that need it most.
Interested In Your Own Energy-Efficient Window System?
If you’re interested in reducing your monthly fuel costs, then you need Flutter Shutter!
Compared to other bespoke shutters and window systems, our technology is specifically designed and proven to be effective in significantly reducing a home’s energy usage
You can get in touch today through our contact form or by emailing us at contact@fluttershutter.org.
We work closely with local councils and registered social landlords to enhance energy efficiency in homes.
Ultimately, tackling fuel poverty for the millions affected by it every year!
