Energy · 5 min read
Windows are the weakest point in almost every home's thermal envelope. In winter, heat escapes straight through the glass; in summer, the sun pours in and forces the air conditioning to work harder. Window coverings have always helped — but only if someone remembers to open and close them at the right moments. That is exactly the job automation takes off your hands.
The simple science of solar gain
A blind is a thermal layer. Lowered on a hot afternoon, it blocks solar gain before it heats the room. Closed on a cold night, it traps a cushion of still air against the glass and slows heat loss. The difference between a blind used well and one used badly is significant — and the difference between a manual blind and an automated one is that the automated blind is always used well.
Schedules and sun sensors do the thinking
With motorised blinds you can set a daily schedule — coverings that lower as the afternoon sun arrives and lift again in the evening to release built-up heat or capture the last of the daylight. Add a sun sensor and the system responds to real conditions, closing automatically when the sun is strong and reopening when cloud rolls in. Nobody has to be home, and nothing gets forgotten.
How much can you actually save?
Studies of programmed window coverings consistently show energy reductions of at least 10%, and often more in homes with large areas of glazing. Because the savings come from automation rather than from spending more on heating or cooling, the system quietly pays for itself over time while making the house more comfortable day to day.
Fabric choice matters
- Solar-screen fabrics cut glare and heat while keeping a view through to the outside — ideal for sunny living rooms and offices.
- Blackout fabrics give the best night-time insulation and complete darkness for bedrooms and media rooms.
- Thermal and interlined Roman blinds and curtains add a heavier insulating layer for older, draughtier windows.
How we set it up
We start with a free home visit to assess your windows and orientation, then recommend the right fabrics and quiet motors from Somfy, Brel and Coulisse. We install everything, programme your schedules and sensors, and connect the system to a hub such as Somfy Tahoma or Brel Home so you can fine-tune it from your phone. The result is a home that manages its own light and temperature — and a smaller energy bill.