ENERGY EFFICIENT WINDOW FASHIONS SAVE HEATING AND COOLING COSTS

With rising fuel costs and a nationwide push to conserve resources, the decorating teams at Fabricland Interiors and Nassaus Window Fashions are recommending special products for windows that cut the cost of heating and cooling. "A properly treated window can reduce heat loss by up to 60%,", cites Lois Croce, manager of the stores' custom decorating department. "We feel it's important to help our customers select treatments that are both well designed and cost-effective when it comes to saving energy. "

The versatile Duette honeycomb shade by Hunter Douglas and the Comfortex cellular shade are two window fashions that insulate homes at their most vulnerable points with the goal of blocking heat that travels through leaky window seams and radiates through the glass. These shades contribute to lower overall energy costs year round, keeping homes warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. They also come in a great variety of colors and styles for every room of the home.

Insulated thermal suede lined draperies and board mounted top treatments are also terrific ways to add insulation to a room and increase " R-values" on your windows. Extending draperies past the window, with a generous overlap of fabric on each side, forces cooled (or heated) air to take a longer course to get to the window, thereby saving an additional 10% on energy. Adding board- mounted top treatments such as a valance or cornice also prevents air from escaping to the glass over the top of the drapery.

Another important energy-saving product that has made a difference is Window Film from Vista. While the right window covering can be very effective in blocking ultraviolet rays, window film is fast becoming an essential element that can make your home more comfortable. Simply applied to glass windows and doors, window film holds radiant heat and air conditioning inside and keeps sun- generated hot spots out, enabling you to enjoy comfortable consistent temperatures in every room . In addition to its energy-saving attributes, window film helps shield home furnishings and fabrics from fading, blocking a full 99% of damaging UV rays.