When it comes to window treatments today, homeowners want more than just beautiful design or interesting quirks. The demand has shifted to products that enhance comfort, promote privacy in style, are safe for kids and pets, and significantly reduce energy costs. Hunter Douglas window treatments deliver these, blending elegant aesthetics with functional technologies. From advanced insulation methods and child safety features to easy cleaning and smart automation, Hunter Douglas has it all.
Save and Stay Comfortable
It is now common knowledge that windows are a significant source of energy loss, making it difficult to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature. Yet, many still rely too heavily on their heating and cooling systems for their homes and businesses. Hunter Douglas window treatments are designed to regulate indoor temperatures by adding an extra layer of insulation. With energy bills skyrocketing due to economic factors, window treatments can help provide a solution.
Here’s a breakdown of how they work to decrease your energy bill:
Insulation That Matters: Understanding U-Factor
The U-factor measures how well a product prevents heat from passing through. The lower the U-factor, the better the insulation. A U-factor of .30 or lower is considered good, however some Hunter Douglas shades offer U-factors as low as 0.18, ensuring that your home retains heat in winter and blocks heat in summer. For example:
- Duette® Architella® Room-Darkening Honeycomb Shades:
- U-factor: 0.18
- Model Example: Alustra® Duette® Leela™ 3/4"
By reducing heat transfer, these window treatments behave like intelligent insulation and add stability to indoor temperatures, so you can enjoy the peace that comes with not hearing your heating or cooling system run all the time.
Solar Heat Gain Control: Stay Cool in the Summer
In warm climates, managing solar heat gain is essential to prevent rooms from becoming too hot. Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) indicates how well a window treatment blocks sunlight and heat from entering. Typically a SHGC of less than .30 is considered good, but Hunter Douglas exceeds again and offers products with SHGC ratings as low as 0.15.
- Alustra® Duette® Honeycomb Shades (Leela™ 3/4”):
- SHGC: 0.15
This feature reduces the load on air conditioning, helping you maintain cool interiors while slashing energy bills.
AERC Certification: Verified Performance You Can Trust
Hunter Douglas window treatments are certified by the Attachments Energy Rating Council (AERC), an independent body that measures the energy performance of window coverings. AERC ratings offer insights into how well a product performs across cool and warm climates. Higher numbers indicate better performance. Hunter Douglas offers products that excel in each category. For example.
Cool Climate Rating (out of 25):
- Example: Duette® Architella® Batiste Bamboo 11/4” Room-Darkening Shade
- Rating: 25/25
- Ideal for: Retaining warmth in cold environments by minimizing heat loss.
Automation Cool Climate Rating (out of 65):
- Example: Alustra® Duette® Architella® Macon™ 3/4" Light-Filtering Shade
- Rating: 50/65
- Best for: Optimizing warmth retention when automated schedules are used.
Warm Climate Rating (out of 50):
- Example: Duette® Architella® Elan® 11/4" Light-Filtering Shade
- Rating: 46/50
- Perfect for: Blocking heat to keep interiors cool during hot summers.
Automation Warm Climate Rating (out of 100):
- Example: Duette® Architella® Solasta™ 11/4” Light-Filtering Shade
- Rating: 66/100
- Ideal for: Enhancing cooling efficiency through automated operation during peak sun exposure.
These ratings confirm that Hunter Douglas products are engineered for all seasons, providing energy savings whether you need to keep heat in during winter or block it out during summer. With automation, these savings are further enhanced by setting schedules to optimize efficiency.
