The Inland Empire Summer Problem

By late May, afternoons in Rancho Cucamonga, Alta Loma, Upland, Ontario, Corona, and Norco are already pushing into the 90s, and July highs over 100°F are the norm. The sun beats on south facing and west facing windows for eight to ten hours a day, the AC runs nonstop, and the cooling bill climbs every year. The right window treatments will measurably cool your home and cut what you pay to keep it that way.

The best blinds to keep your home cool

For an Inland Empire home, you want a treatment that reflects or absorbs solar heat, blocks UV so floors and furniture do not fade, and insulates the window like a second layer of glass. The four we recommend most often, in order:

1. Insulated cellular (honeycomb) shades. Best total insulation, top pick for bedrooms.

2. Solar shades. Best for keeping the view in great rooms and sunrooms.

3. Outdoor roller shades. Best for stopping heat before it hits the glass.

4. Plantation shutters. Best long term investment with year round style.

How cellular and blackout shades reduce heat

Insulated cellular shades carry the highest insulation rating of any interior treatment. The Department of Energy reports that a tightly installed cellular reduces unwanted solar heat gain by up to 60% in summer. Add a blackout liner and you get the same insulation with full light control, which is why nearly every bedroom and nursery we install in Rancho Cucamonga gets a blackout cellular.

Which coverings block UV rays in summer

Solar shades and roller shades are the Inland Empire’s secret weapon for great rooms with a view of the San Gabriels. A 3% openness solar fabric blocks about 97% of UV and most of the radiant heat while preserving the view. Floors, leather, and artwork stop fading.

For covered patios, pool decks, and west facing porches, exterior outdoor shades are the nuclear option. Because the shade sits outside the glass, it can reduce solar heat gain on that window by 85% or more.

What summer savings can you actually expect?

A 2,000 to 2,800 square foot home in Rancho Cucamonga, Ontario, or Corona with original windows typically sees a July power bill of $250 to $340. A well specified summer package trims that bill by 10 to 25% across the cooling season, $30 to $80 a month back from May through September. The ENERGY STAR home savings hub is a good place to model your home.

A note on safety

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that about nine children under five die every year from strangulation in window covering cords, and recommends cordless coverings in any home with young children. Every treatment we install is available cordless or motorized.

Ready to cool down your home this summer?

Custom window treatments take 3 to 6 weeks from consultation to install, so May and June are the right time to upgrade. The fastest way to figure out what will work on your windows is to see fabric samples in your own light. We bring the showroom to you across Rancho Cucamonga, Alta Loma, South Upland, Ontario, Chino, Corona, and Norco. The consultation is free, runs about an hour, and includes a fixed quote on the spot. Every install is backed by our No Questions Asked warranty.

Schedule your free in home or virtual consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What blinds keep a house coolest in summer?

Insulated cellular (honeycomb) shades indoors and motorized outdoor roller shades outside. Cellular shades cut solar heat gain by up to 60%. Outdoor shades cut it by 85% by stopping the sun before it reaches the glass.

Do blackout shades reduce heat?

Yes. A blackout liner adds insulation and reflects radiant heat, dropping solar heat gain dramatically. Top pick for west facing bedrooms in the Inland Empire.

Which window coverings block the most UV?

A 3% openness solar shade blocks about 97% of UV while preserving the view. Cellular shades with blackout liners block essentially all UV. Plantation shutters with louvers closed are close behind.

How much can summer window treatments save on my power bill?

Most Inland Empire homes see a 10 to 25% reduction in summer cooling bills, typically $30 to $80 a month from May through September.