Going green, honeycomb shades can save money in winter

The Boston Globe recently reported a home in Holliston, Massachusetts saved more than $2,000 in heating costs this past winter due to the new installation of their geothermal system and may also have benefits in the hotter months.

These insulated panels, which line the home's walls, are integral to keeping air temperature constant, whether it's hot or cold, and this means that the homeowners save both energy and money. To crown this achievement, the house recently won a Silver LEED rating from the US Green Building Council due to its sustainable design.

The Porters, who are the residents of the home, managed to install these innovative technologies using the same budget that most homeowners use to build a standard house.

"We were hearing that you can’t build a LEED home unless you’re rich," Erin Porter told the newspaper. “But we kept thinking, it shouldn’t be this complicated."

Other homeowners who are looking for ways to mitigate heating costs as the months become cooler may want to consider installing honeycomb cellular shades. By trapping indoor temperatures within a home, these window treatments can reduce energy bills In the summer, they can also keep cool air inside.

http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/house/articles/2010/08/01/porter_house_first_to_earn_leed_certification_in_holliston/