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An Ideal Home writer reports that closing curtains shortly before sunset made the home feel warmer and measured a 2°C temperature difference around thermal curtains. An energy expert says curtains can slow heat loss through windows, but the report gives no measured energy or bill savings, and results depend on the home and window coverings.
An Ideal Home report says closing curtains shortly before sunset may help slow heat loss through windows, after its writer found a 2°C temperature difference around thermal curtains at home. The report describes a possible way to feel warmer and rely less on heating, but does not quantify any reduction in energy use or bills.
The writer said they had resumed closing curtains early over the preceding week and noticed that the home stayed warmer into the evening. They measured temperatures in front of and behind closed curtains after sunset, reporting a 2°C difference in rooms with thermal curtains. This was a personal home test, not a controlled study, and the report does not give details about the measuring equipment or test conditions.
Stuart Middleton, identified by Ideal Home as So Energy’s Consumer Energy Expert, said windows can be a source of heat loss and curtains add a layer that slows the rate at which heat escapes. He said thick, well-fitting or thermally lined curtains may be particularly effective. The report says the actual effect depends on the window, the curtain type and the home’s insulation.
The article recommends drawing curtains just before sunset, rather than earlier in the day, to retain heat after daylight and avoid blocking solar warmth. Its example was closing them at about 4:30 p.m. ahead of a 4:52 p.m. sunset. Those times apply to the writer’s location and date; sunset varies by place and season.
Curtains May Reduce Evening Heat Loss
For households trying to manage heating use as colder weather sets in, curtains are a low-cost measure that may improve comfort without changing the heating system. If a room feels warmer for longer, residents may choose not to run the heating for an additional hour or use a portable heater for as long. The report presents this as a potential effect, not a measured outcome.
The distinction matters: a temperature difference behind a curtain does not by itself show how much energy a household saves. Any change in heating demand will depend on factors such as the home’s insulation, window construction, indoor temperature and how the heating is operated. The report offers no bill comparison or energy-use data, so readers should not treat the personal test as a guaranteed saving.
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How the Home Test Was Done
The report revisits advice attributed to consumer finance commentator Martin Lewis to close curtains as the sun goes down. It says UK energy prices had risen 4% in October and quotes predictions of a further rise of 16% to 25% in January. The source does not identify the tariff, forecast providers or precise comparison basis in the supplied material, so those figures are not a measure of the curtain practice’s impact.
In the writer’s home, the reported temperature difference varied by window covering: about 2°C for thermal curtains and blinds, just under 1°C for wooden blinds, and about half a degree for standard curtains. These are observations from that home, not results that can be assumed for other properties. The article also describes scheduled curtain devices as an option for people away at sunset; one product mentioned is SwitchBot Curtain 3, listed at £99.99 in the report.
“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
Energy Savings Remain Unmeasured
The report does not establish how many kilowatt-hours or pounds households might save by closing curtains at dusk. It gives no controlled comparison between rooms with curtains open and closed, and the writer’s temperature readings cannot establish a typical result. Details about measurement conditions, including the exact positions and instruments used, are not provided.
It is also unclear how much the reported differences came from the curtains themselves versus other features of the rooms, such as glazing, draughts or heating. The article notes that window type, curtain fit and insulation affect performance. Its quoted energy-price figures are not accompanied by enough information in the supplied source to assess their forecast basis.
Try the Timing in Your Home
The report’s practical suggestion is to close curtains shortly before local sunset, allowing daylight to warm rooms before drawing the coverings. Residents can check sunset times for their area and compare how comfortable rooms feel over several evenings, while recognizing that this will not calculate a precise bill saving.
For people who are out at sunset, the article points to scheduled curtain devices and light-sensor options. It does not provide comparative testing of these products or confirm that automation will pay for itself. The key factor in the report’s advice remains the fit and insulating quality of the window covering, alongside the home’s existing windows and insulation.
Key Questions
Does closing curtains before sunset save energy?
It may help reduce heat loss through windows, according to So Energy expert Stuart Middleton, as quoted by Ideal Home. The report does not measure energy use or confirm a specific saving.
When should I close curtains to retain heat?
The report recommends closing them shortly before sunset, so daytime sunlight can enter before curtains are drawn. Sunset times vary by location and date.
Which curtains worked best in the report’s home test?
The writer reported the largest temperature difference, about 2°C, around thermal curtains and blinds. Wooden blinds showed just under 1°C, while standard curtains showed about half a degree. These were observations in one home.
How much money will this save on heating bills?
The report does not give a cash or energy-use estimate. Savings, if any, would depend on the windows, curtains, insulation and heating habits.
Source: rss
