Sustainability and energy efficiency are becoming more important than ever in home design. And although both are strong points in favor of motorized roller shades, they sometimes get left out of the conversation. Hopefully, that’s about to change thanks to projects like a new pilot program for sustainable housing in Clovis, California.
The project features new energy efficient homes with Somfy motors and controls in Draper At Home shades. The ultimate goal is to design and build Zero Net Energy (ZNE) homes.
Motorized shades controlled by automation systems can maximize energy savings and glare control in several ways. When the sun is burning brightly, and moving across the sky, shades in different rooms move automatically to control heat build-up during the day. Shade operation can also be programmed to occur automatically at predetermined times based on the angle of the sun. This type of system controls heat gain while permitting a degree of natural light that doesn’t create glare. The shades can also react to changing conditions using sensors, or they can be controlled locally by a wall switch or remote control.
For the Clovis project, partner ConSol, a technical advisory firm and Federal grant partner of the Department of Energy, played a key role in supporting the original design of the development. The company will also monitor energy consumption and utility bills using real-time energy monitoring systems, including those built into the shade automation system.
The California Energy Commission sponsored this pilot program.
We were proud to participate in this amazing project! You can learn more in this press release from Somfy about the unveiling of the newly built homes. To learn more about making your home more energy efficient with window shades, reach out to your Draper At Home representative!
