Seasonal shade changes to lower energy bills
Seasonal shade changes can lower energy bills by reducing heat gain in summer and minimizing heat loss in winter. Selecting the right shade type for each room helps you stay comfortable year-round. This guide lays out practical options with clear details and where to buy them. Mixing shade types also helps tailor brightness and insulation. For a quick starting point, check our Energy Efficient Shades collection and related options to match your climate and home layout: Energy Efficient Shades. Explore cellular and roller options for year-round efficiency and solar shading when the sun is strongest: Cellular/Honeycomb Shades and Solar Shades.⚡ Key Takeaways
- Shade can cut cooling loads by up to 60% in the peak cooling season.
- Cellular/honeycomb shades provide insulation for year-round energy savings.
- Combine interior shade with exterior shading for the best performance on sunniest walls.
- Cordless and motorized options improve safety and convenience for daily use.
Room Darkening Zebra Shades – 7 Fabric Series (BL8, BL9, BL10, BL20, BL46, BL50, BL58), 4 Stripe Sizes (3-5"), 90%+ Light Blocking, Cordless & Motorized, Wool & Silk Textures, GREENGUARD Certified for Bedroom & Media Room
Room darkening zebra shades offer strong heat control when you need it most. In summer, align the opaque stripes to block direct sun and reduce AC load. In winter, angle the sheer portions to let diffused light come in while keeping warmth inside.
For safety and convenience, go cordless or motorized. The wool and silk textures add a premium feel without sacrificing energy performance. GREENGUARD certification helps ensure better indoor air quality in bedrooms or media rooms.
Room Darkening Zebra Shades – 7 Fabric Series (BL8, BL9, BL10, BL20, BL46, BL50, BL58), 4 Stripe Sizes (3-5"), 90%+ Light Blocking, Cordless & Motorized, Wool & Silk Textures, GREENGUARD Certified for Bedroom & Media Room
75.00
Brand: N/A
Material: Wool & Silk Textures
- 90%+ light blocking
- Cordless & motorized options
- GREENGUARD certified for indoor air quality
- Premium wool and silk textures
Shade from trees can cool the air directly under the canopy by as much as 25°F, helping reduce heat near your home on sunny days.
— Department of EnergyLight Filtering Zebra Shades – 5 Fabric Series (AB, B5, BL2, G31, BL21), 3" Solid + 2" Sheer Stripes, Cordless & Motorized, Noise Absorbing, GREENGUARD Certified, Child-Safe for Living Room & Home Office
Light filtering zebra shades offer balanced daylight with privacy. In shared spaces, the solid and sheer stripes let you tune brightness while reducing glare on screens.
Choose cordless or motorized control for easy day-to-day adjustments. The shades also help absorb sound, which is useful in open-plan living rooms or home offices.
Light Filtering Zebra Shades – 5 Fabric Series (AB, B5, BL2, G31, BL21), 3" Solid + 2" Sheer Stripes, Cordless & Motorized, Noise Absorbing, GREENGUARD Certified, Child-Safe for Living Room & Home Office
70.00
Brand: N/A
Material: Zebra shade fabric (light filtering)
- 3" solid + 2" sheer stripes
- Cordless & motorized options
- Noise absorbing for quieter rooms
- GREENGUARD certified
Well-placed trees can save up to 25% of the energy a typical household uses.
— Department of EnergyLight Filtering Roller Shades – 60-70% Light Blocking, 4 Fabric Series (AYM, Shantung, Uluru, Arizona), Linen & Textured Weaves, GREENGUARD Certified, Cordless & Motorized, Child-Safe for Living Room & Kitchen
Roller shades with light filtering offer comfortable daylight without glare. They help manage heat gain while keeping rooms bright enough for daily tasks.
Cordless and motorized options support safe use in living areas and kitchens. The linen and textured weaves provide a stylish, durable finish with strong energy performance.
Light Filtering Roller Shades – 60-70% Light Blocking, 4 Fabric Series (AYM, Shantung, Uluru, Arizona), Linen & Textured Weaves, GREENGUARD Certified, Cordless & Motorized, Child-Safe for Living Room & Kitchen
50.00
Brand: N/A
Material: Linen & textured weaves
- 60-70% light blocking
- Cordless & motorized options
- GREENGUARD certified
- Durable linen textures
Shade and evapotranspiration from trees can cool surrounding air by about 6°F on hot days.
— Department of EnergyWaterproof PVC Blackout Roller Shades – 100% Light Blocking, Moisture-Resistant Vinyl, Cordless & Motorized, Mold & Mildew Resistant, GREENGUARD Certified, Child-Safe for Bathroom, Kitchen & Basement
Waterproof blackout options are ideal for moisture-prone spaces. They block light and resist mold, helping keep rooms cooler and more comfortable during humid seasons.
Choose cordless or motorized operation for easy adjustments in bathrooms or basements. GREENGUARD certification supports safer indoor air quality in high-humidity rooms.
Waterproof PVC Blackout Roller Shades – 100% Light Blocking, Moisture-Resistant Vinyl, Cordless & Motorized, Mold & Mildew Resistant, GREENGUARD Certified, Child-Safe for Bathroom, Kitchen & Basement
45.00
Brand: N/A
Material: Vinyl (PVC)
- 100% light blocking
- Moisture-resistant vinyl
- Mold & mildew resistant
- CORDLESS & motorized options
Shade and vegetation can reduce urban heat island energy demand for nearby buildings by about 10%.
— U.S. EPA100% Blackout Roller Shades – Cordless & Motorized, 6 Fabric Series (AYM, Shantung, Uluru, Arizona, Doris), Linen & Textured Weaves, GREENGUARD & OEKO-TEX Certified, Child-Safe for Bedroom, Nursery & Media Room
Full blackout can dramatically reduce heat gain in rooms that receive strong sun exposure. A well-sealed blackout shade keeps a cooler room during summer heat waves.
Motorized or cordless controls simplify daily use and enable automated light management. The linen and textured weaves provide a refined look with solid energy performance.
100% Blackout Roller Shades – Cordless & Motorized, 6 Fabric Series (AYM, Shantung, Uluru, Arizona, Doris), Linen & Textured Weaves, GREENGUARD & OEKO-TEX Certified, Child-Safe for Bedroom, Nursery & Media Room
60.00
Brand: N/A
Material: Linen & textured weaves
- 99% light blocking
- Cordless & motorized options
- GREENGUARD & OEKO-TEX certified
- Textured linen feel
Shade and vegetation can reduce urban heat island energy demand by about 10%.
— U.S. EPACordless Light Filtering Cellular Shades – 3/8" & 5/8" Single Cell, 99% Glare Reduction, Energy Efficient, Child-Safe Cordless Lift for Living Room & Kitchen, 8 Colors
Cellular shades trap air in their cells, delivering insulation without sacrificing daylight. They’re a solid match for living rooms and kitchens where you want a soft, even glow.
With cordless lifts and 8 color options, these are easy to operate and adapt to changing seasons and moods indoors.
Cordless Light Filtering Cellular Shades – 3/8" & 5/8" Single Cell, 99% Glare Reduction, Energy Efficient, Child-Safe Cordless Lift for Living Room & Kitchen, 8 Colors
45.00
Brand: N/A
Material: Cellular fabric
- 99% glare reduction
- Energy efficient cellular design
- Cordless lift for safety
- 8 color options
Shade and vegetation can reduce urban heat island energy demand for nearby buildings by about 10%.
— U.S. EPACordless Blackout Cellular Shades – 3/8" & 5/8" Single Cell, 99% Light Blocking, Sound Absorbing, Energy Efficient, Child-Safe for Bedroom, Nursery & Home Theater
Blackout cellular shades provide strong light control and sound dampening. They help maintain cooler rooms during sunny days and quieter spaces for sleep or media time.
With cordless operation, they’re safe for kids’ rooms and nurseries, while still offering efficient insulation for year-round comfort.
Cordless Blackout Cellular Shades – 3/8" & 5/8" Single Cell, 99% Light Block, Noise Reduction, Energy Efficient, Child-Safe for Bedroom, Nursery & Home Theater
55.00
Brand: N/A
Material: Cellular fabric
- 99% light blocking
- Sound absorbing
- Energy efficient
- Child-safe cordless lift
Shade from trees can cool the air directly under the canopy by as much as 25°F, helping reduce heat near your home on sunny days.
— Department of EnergyLight Filtering Top Down Bottom Up Cellular Shades – Cordless & Motorized, 3/8" & 5/8" Single Cell, Energy Efficient, Privacy+Light Control, Cordless Safe for Living Room & Home Office
Top-down bottom-up cellular shades give you flexible light control and privacy while maintaining insulation. They’re a practical choice for rooms where you want daylight without compromising privacy.
Operate with cordless lifts or motorized control for convenient daily use, especially in multi-use spaces such as living rooms and home offices.
Light Filtering Top Down Bottom Up Cellular Shades – Cordless & Motorized, 3/8" & 5/8" Single Cell, Energy Efficient, Privacy+Light Control, Cordless Safe for Living Room & Home Office
55.00
Brand: N/A
Material: Cellular fabric
- 3/8" & 5/8" single cell
- Energy efficient
- Privacy + light control
- Cordless safe
Shade from trees can cool the air directly under the canopy by as much as 25°F, helping reduce heat near your home on sunny days.
— Department of EnergyBlackout Top Down Bottom Up Cellular Shades – Cordless & Motorized, 3/8" & 5/8" Single Cell, 99% Light Block, Noise Reduction, Energy Efficient for Bedroom, Nursery & Home Theater
Top-down bottom-up cellular shades offer flexible light control and strong insulation. They’re ideal for bedrooms and nurseries where you want light control without sacrificing privacy.
Choose cordless or motorized operation for quiet, safe, and effortless use, especially in rooms used for relaxing and media time.
Blackout Top Down Bottom Up Cellular Shades – Cordless & Motorized, 3/8" & 5/8" Single Cell, 99% Light Block, Noise Reduction, Energy Efficient for Bedroom, Nursery & Home Theater
65.00
Brand: N/A
Material: Cellular fabric
- 99% light blocking
- Noise reduction
- Energy efficient
- Cordless safe
Shade from trees can cool the air directly under the canopy by as much as 25°F, helping reduce heat near your home on sunny days.
— Department of EnergyDay-Night Honeycomb Shades – Cordless & Motorized, Light Filtering Top + Blackout Bottom, 99% UV Block, Dual-Fabric Cellular Shades for Bedroom, Nursery & Living Room, 4 Colorways
Day-night honeycomb shades combine a light-filtering top with a blackout bottom. This dual-fabric design helps you adapt to changing daylight while maintaining insulation.
A cordless or motorized lift adds convenience for any room that needs quick light adjustment without cords—great for bedrooms and living spaces.
Day-Night Honeycomb Shades – Cordless & Motorized, Light Filtering Top + Blackout Bottom, 99% UV Block, Dual-Fabric Cellular Shades for Bedroom, Nursery & Living Room, 4 Colorways
80.00
Brand: N/A
Material: Honeycomb (cellular) fabric
- 99% UV block
- Dual-fabric design
- Cordless/motorized lift
- Energy efficient insulation
Shade and vegetation can reduce urban heat island energy demand for nearby buildings by about 10%.
— U.S. EPAPremier Day-Night Honeycomb Shades – Cordless & Motorized, Dual-Fabric, Sheer Top + Blackout Bottom, 3/8" & 5/8" Single Cell, 99% UV Block, Insulating for Bedroom & Nursery, ZF-323 Series
The premium honeycomb design adds strong insulation while offering flexible light control with the dual-fabric construction. This helps maintain stable indoor temperatures across seasons.
Options include cordless or motorized lifts for safe operation in bedrooms and nurseries, with a focus on energy efficiency and comfort.
Premier Day-Night Honeycomb Shades – Cordless & Motorized, Dual-Fabric, Sheer Top + Blackout Bottom, 3/8" & 5/8" Single Cell, 99% UV Block, Insulating for Bedroom & Nursery, ZF-323 Series
90.00
Brand: N/A
Material: Honeycomb (cellular) fabric
- Dual-fabric design
- 99% UV block
- Cordless/motorized lift
- Energy-efficient insulation
Shade from trees can cool the air directly under the canopy by as much as 25°F, helping reduce heat near your home on sunny days.
— Department of EnergyConclusion
Seasonal shade changes deliver real energy savings when you match the right shade type to each room. Start with cellular/honeycomb shades for insulation, add light-filtering options where daylight is desirable, and reserve blackout shades for rooms where darkness is essential. Motorized or cordless options simplify daily use and maximize comfort without compromising safety.
For a complete setup, browse our Energy Efficient Shades collection and Cellular/Honeycomb Shades pages to pair interior shading with exterior shading strategies. If you’re building a plan, consider exterior shading like pergolas or overhangs to complement interior shades and further reduce heat gain on south- and west-facing walls.
