Summer is in full swing here in the Midwest, and while I love the long days and warm evenings, I don’t love what it does to my electricity bill. This year, I decided to try something new to keep my house cooler without running the air conditioner constantly: smart, motorized curtains.
For years, I’ve focused on sustainable practices in my garden, turning my backyard into a haven for vegetables and pollinators. But I realized that a lot of energy is also used inside the home, especially during the hottest months. The sun beating through the windows can turn rooms into saunas, forcing the AC to work overtime.
I decided to experiment with smart curtains in my main living area. I chose a set that could be programmed to open and close automatically. The setup was surprisingly straightforward, and I was able to connect them to my home automation system. The best part? They operate incredibly quietly. No jarring noises to disrupt the peace of my home.
Here’s how my experiment went: I programmed the curtains to close automatically around 10 AM, just as the sun starts to hit the windows directly. They stay closed throughout the hottest part of the day and then open again in the late afternoon as the sun starts to lower. I also set them to open fully on cooler mornings to let in natural light and some fresh air.
The difference was noticeable pretty quickly. My living room stayed significantly cooler, even on days when the temperature outside soared. I found myself reaching for the thermostat much less often. While I don’t have the final electricity bill yet, my smart meter data shows a definite dip in energy consumption during peak hours. It seems like a small change, but the impact on comfort and potential savings is real.
Integrating these curtains with my existing smart home setup was a bonus. I can control them with my voice or through an app, even when I’m not home. This has been particularly useful when unexpected heat waves hit, allowing me to preemptively close the curtains before the house heats up.
It’s been a simple yet effective way to make my home more energy-efficient, much like how composting helps enrich my garden soil. By managing sunlight more intelligently, I’m not just saving money; I’m also making my home a more comfortable and sustainable space. It’s a win-win, and I’m already planning to add more smart curtains to other rooms in the house.