Over here in Australia, we're heading into the warmer weather and longer days. My partner absolutely hates the idea of daylight before 7am, so blackout curtains were a must for her when we moved house recently.

But blackout curtains just aren't for blocking light. 33% of home heating and cooling energy loss occurs via your windows. Blackout curtains can help insulate your home, saving you money in heating and cooling and the energy savings can also assist in reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with energy production. Additionally, as blackout curtains are much heavier than normal curtains, you can expect them to last a long time.

How do blackout curtains work?

Blackout curtains have a backing that is made from a very tightly woven fabric, usually multiple layered, which blocks most of the light; with some brands claiming up to 99.9%. reduction 

How much energy can be saved?

According to the Eclipse Curtains site, their blackout curtains can reduce thermal loss by up to 25%; so if you're spending a few thousand dollars a year on heating and cooling, the savings add up quite quickly and can offset the cost of the curtains within a short space of time.

Other benefits of blackout curtains

I hate noise.. I mean really, really hate it. Noise pollution is a major problem for many people and is one of the most underrated environmental threats. Excess noise has negative physical and psychological effects on people and animals. It seems there's no peace in the burbs any more, even when we need it most -  at night time when we're trying to sleep. Blackout curtains won't soundproof a room, but they will certainly help significantly reduce the noise level.

How much do blackout curtains cost?

This varies greatly, but Eclipse's range of blackout curtains cost around $15 - $40 each which is quite reasonable given how long they'll last and the associated energy savings. Eclipse curtains are available at most large retail chains in the USA.

If you're handy with a sewing machine you can also save a bit of money by converting your current curtains - just add the blackout liners which you can buy from a haberdashery store. As there's varying quality in blackout liners, be sure to hold samples up to a strong light before purchasing to ensure it works sufficiently.

Blackout curtain tips

Just a couple of simple tips for using blackout curtains that will maximize your energy and greenhouse gas emission savings.

To get the most from blackout curtains, you need to ensure the gather is sufficiently high above the rod to block light from appearing at the top and the rod is situated so that it minimizes the amount of light "leaking" out the sides.

During the cooler months, only have the curtains open when the sun is shining into the room or outside temperatures are warmer than inside. During summer, curtains should be kept closed as much as possible; even if the sun isn't shining directly upon the window.