TL;DR
Get cleaning gear delivered free with Prime
- Fast, free delivery on millions of items
- Prime Video, Amazon Music and more included
- Member-only deals all year
An Ideal Home report describes closing curtains just before sunset as a no-cost way to slow heat loss through windows and potentially reduce heating use. The writer measured temperature differences of up to 2°C around thermal curtains, but that was a household observation, not a verified measure of energy or bill savings.
An Ideal Home report says closing curtains shortly before sunset may help homes retain heat by adding a layer between windows and indoor spaces. The writer reported measuring a 2°C temperature difference around thermal curtains after dark, but the test was a household observation and does not establish how much energy or money the habit saves.
The report’s writer said that after resuming the habit, rooms felt warmer for longer in the evening, reducing the perceived need to run central heating for an extra hour. The writer also measured temperatures on either side of different window coverings: the largest reported difference was 2°C with thermal curtains and blinds; wooden blinds showed just under 1°C, while standard curtains showed about half a degree. These figures describe temperatures around the coverings, not a controlled measurement of whole-room heat loss.
Stuart Middleton, identified by the publication as So Energy’s Consumer Energy Expert, said curtains can create an additional insulating layer that slows heat escaping through windows. He said thick, well-fitting or thermally lined curtains may be particularly effective. The report gives no independently verified energy-use data or bill comparison from the writer’s trial.
For timing, the report recommends closing curtains just before sunset, rather than leaving them open after daylight fades. That approach is intended to retain heat while still allowing sunlight to warm rooms during the day. The article gives an example sunset time of 4:52 p.m. and says the time will change as winter progresses; the appropriate time varies by location and date.
Curtains May Reduce Evening Heat Loss
For households looking for low-cost ways to stay comfortable in colder weather, closing curtains is a practical step that requires no purchase if suitable coverings are already in place. If it helps a room remain comfortable, it may reduce the need for additional heating. However, the source does not quantify any reduction in energy consumption, heating hours or bills, so readers should not treat the reported temperature readings as a promised saving.
The likely effect differs from home to home. Window type, curtain fit, lining and insulation all affect how much heat is lost and how much a curtain can help retain. The distinction matters as energy costs fluctuate: the report refers to a 4% price rise in October and forecasts of a further 16% to 25% rise in January, but it does not specify the relevant tariff, jurisdiction or forecast source in the supplied material. Those figures cannot establish what any individual household will pay.
Products Worth Considering
Ring Alarm 14-Piece Wireless Security System Kit
Bose TV Speaker (2nd Gen) Compact Soundbar with Bluetooth and HDMI Connectivity
Bose TV Speaker Compact Soundbar with Bluetooth and HDMI-ARC, Black
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
How the Curtain Trial Was Measured
The report is based on a writer’s experience at home over roughly a week, alongside temperature checks in rooms with different window treatments. It describes a comparison of readings in front of and behind coverings after sunset, rather than a laboratory test or a comparison of energy bills over a defined period. The publication’s writer attributed the greatest difference to thermal curtains and blinds, and smaller differences to wooden blinds and ordinary curtains.
The article also cites Martin Lewis as having advised people to close curtains as soon as the sun goes down. It presents the advice as a household energy-saving habit, not as a guarantee of a specific result. It mentions automated curtain devices and scheduling as options for people who are away at sunset, but does not report independent tests of those products or establish their cost-effectiveness.
“Windows can be a source of heat loss, so drawing your curtains creates an additional layer of insulation that helps slow the rate at which heat escapes.”
— Stuart Middleton, So Energy’s Consumer Energy Expert, as quoted by Ideal Home
Savings Depend on Each Home
The report does not say how much energy the writer used before and after changing the curtain routine, or whether heating bills fell. The 2°C reading is not presented as a whole-room temperature change or as a direct measure of energy saved; the supplied material does not specify the instruments, measurement duration or testing conditions. It is therefore unclear how repeatable the result would be in other homes.
The article also does not provide a defined baseline for the cited energy-price changes or identify the forecast source behind the January range. Its general point—that the effect depends on windows, coverings and insulation—is attributed to an energy expert, while the specific temperature results remain the writer’s own account.
Try the Timing in Your Own Home
The report suggests checking the local sunset time and closing curtains shortly before it gets dark, so daylight can still enter during the day. Households can compare how comfortable rooms feel with their usual routine, while recognizing that this is not the same as measuring energy savings. Thick, well-fitting or thermal curtains may perform differently from light or poorly fitted coverings.
People who are away at sunset can use scheduled curtain controls, according to the article, though automated devices involve a purchase and the report does not show that their cost is recovered through lower bills. No further testing or quantified savings are provided in the source material.
Key Questions
Does closing curtains before sunset save energy?
It may help slow heat loss through windows, according to So Energy expert Stuart Middleton as quoted by Ideal Home. The report provides no measured energy-use or bill savings, and the effect depends on the home.
When should I close my curtains?
The report recommends closing them just before local sunset. This is intended to let daylight enter during the day and add a barrier after the sun goes down.
Which window coverings performed best in the report?
The writer reported the largest temperature difference—2°C—around thermal curtains and blinds. The writer reported smaller differences for wooden blinds and standard curtains; these are personal observations, not controlled comparative results.
Does the 2°C difference mean my room will be 2°C warmer?
No. The writer described readings in front of and behind the coverings. The report does not establish a 2°C increase in whole-room temperature or quantify how much heating energy that difference might save.
Can curtains be closed automatically?
Yes. The report describes scheduled curtain devices as an option for people who are away at sunset. It does not provide independent product testing or evidence that buying a device will pay for itself.
Source: rss
