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An Ideal Home report says closing curtains shortly before sunset can help slow heat loss through windows and keep rooms comfortable. The writer measured temperature differences behind several window treatments, but the report gives no evidence that these readings translate into a specific energy-bill saving.
An Ideal Home report says closing curtains shortly before sunset may help reduce heat escaping through windows, based on a writer’s one-week trial at home. The writer measured temperature differences behind different window coverings, but did not establish how much energy or money the habit saves.
The report describes curtain-closing as a no-cost household measure that can add a layer between a room and its windows. So Energy consumer energy expert Stuart Middleton said windows can be a source of heat loss and that well-fitting, thick or thermally lined curtains can slow it. The report says the resulting comfort may reduce the need to run heating for an additional period, but it does not quantify that effect.
During the writer’s test, the reported temperature difference between the areas in front of and behind thermal curtains and blinds was about 2°C after sunset. The writer recorded a difference of just under 1°C for wooden blinds and around half a degree for standard curtains. These are observations from one home, not a controlled study, and the article does not specify the measuring equipment, exact test conditions or whether the room temperatures were recorded repeatedly.
The article recommends closing curtains just before sunset, rather than leaving them open after daylight fades. Its example uses a 4:52 p.m. sunset and a reminder set for 4:30 p.m. It says this timing is intended to retain daylight heat gains while limiting heat loss after dark. People who are away at that time could use scheduled curtain controls, though the article’s product examples are optional devices rather than a requirement for the method.
Curtains May Ease Evening Heating Demand
The practical appeal is that closing existing curtains costs nothing and may make rooms feel warmer during colder evenings. If occupants feel comfortable for longer, they may choose to delay turning on heating or use a portable heater for less time. That potential household benefit matters when energy costs are a concern, but the report does not measure fuel consumption, electricity use or bill changes.
The reported readings also suggest that window treatment matters: thermal curtains showed a larger temperature difference than standard curtains in this home. That does not establish how much heat each treatment prevented from escaping, or prove the same ranking will apply in other homes. Window construction, draughts, room layout and insulation can all affect the result.
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A One-Home Test Before Winter
The article frames the test around colder weather and concern about household energy prices. It says prices rose by 4% in October and cites predictions of a further 16% to 25% rise in January, but does not identify the specific tariff, market measure or forecast sources in the supplied material. Those figures should not be treated as a universal change to every household bill.
The writer says the practice was familiar from previous winters and was resumed for a one-week trial. The report also refers to advice from Martin Lewis to close curtains when the sun goes down, but supplies no direct quotation or link to the original advice. Its own account is an informal household observation, not a broad energy-efficiency assessment.
““Closing your curtains at dusk is a simple way to help keep your home warm as temperatures drop.””
— Stuart Middleton, So Energy consumer energy expert
No Bill Savings Were Measured
The report does not establish how much energy the habit saves, whether it lowers bills, or whether the measured temperature gaps would be reproduced in other homes. It provides no comparison of heating use before and after the trial, and the supplied source does not state how the temperature readings were taken or controlled. The reported differences describe conditions around the writer’s window treatments, not a general performance guarantee.
It is also unclear how much the results depend on the particular windows, curtain fit, room conditions or weather during the test. The article’s cited January price forecasts lack enough detail in the supplied material to confirm their scope. Readers should treat the savings claim as plausible but unquantified, rather than as a promised reduction in energy costs.
Check Sunset and Track Results
The report suggests checking local sunset times and closing curtains shortly beforehand, then adjusting the routine as days get shorter. Households with scheduled curtain controls can set a closing time, while those without them can use a phone reminder. The article also discusses light-sensor and timer-based devices, but does not report independent testing of those products.
For a household to judge whether the habit makes a difference, the useful next step is to compare comfort and heating use under similar conditions over time. No follow-up measurements or verified cost assessment are included in the source, so the size of any savings remains an open question.
Key Questions
Does closing curtains before sunset save energy?
The Ideal Home report says it may help slow heat loss through windows. It did not measure energy use or establish a specific saving.
When should curtains be closed?
The report recommends closing them shortly before sunset, so daylight heat gains are retained before it gets dark. The exact time varies by location and date.
Do thermal curtains work better than standard curtains?
In the writer’s home, thermal curtains and blinds had a reported temperature difference of about 2°C across the coverings, compared with around half a degree for standard curtains. This was a single-home observation, not a controlled comparison.
How much could the habit reduce an energy bill?
The report gives no bill-saving estimate. So Energy’s Stuart Middleton said the result depends on the windows, curtains and insulation, making an exact figure difficult to provide.
Source: rss
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