Let winter sun in when it can warm the room, then close insulating shades as the glass cools.
I reviewed the research a few years ago on the performance of south-facing windows in passive solar homes. The question still matters if you have your heart set on a big window wall. How much sun will it let in during the day, and how quickly will the room lose heat after dark? A good shade can help with the second part. Here are three ways to put it on a schedule.
Motorized shades make it easier to cover a window wall after sunset. Image courtesy of Somfy Systems.
Humans being what they are, pulling a half dozen blinds or panels down every evening soon becomes a chore. That’s why I like automated systems, especially for a bank of windows you want to open and close together.
Three systems to compare
Somfy TaHoma Switch. If you already have compatible Somfy motors or want to choose the shade separately, TaHoma lets you group shades and schedule them by room. Check motor compatibility and ask about the insulating shade itself when getting a quote.
Lutron Serena.Serena smart honeycomb shades combine a motor with insulating cellular fabric. Use the online configurator to compare prices for your actual opening and account for any hub you need for scheduling.
Hunter Douglas Duette.Duette honeycomb shades offer an insulating cellular design, with some fabrics made from more than 50 percent recycled content. Ask a dealer about the PowerView option and get a quote for the measured opening, controls and installation.
For a south-facing room in winter, start by opening the shades when the sun is warming the room and closing them once that gain is gone. Adjust the schedule if the room overheats or the sun is blocked. Compare quotes for the same opening and include the shade, controls, power supply and installation.
Veteran journalist Matt Power has reported on innovation and sustainability in housing for nearly three decades. An award-winning writer, editor, and filmmaker, he has a long history of asking hard questions and adding depth and context as he unfolds complex issues.
Three Ways to Automate Insulating Shades in a Passive Solar Home
Let winter sun in when it can warm the room, then close insulating shades as the glass cools.
I reviewed the research a few years ago on the performance of south-facing windows in passive solar homes. The question still matters if you have your heart set on a big window wall. How much sun will it let in during the day, and how quickly will the room lose heat after dark? A good shade can help with the second part. Here are three ways to put it on a schedule.
Start with the glass. Climate, orientation and the window’s U-factor and solar heat gain coefficient all affect the balance. Insulating cellular shades can reduce heat transfer when closed. A motor makes that easier to do consistently. The Department of Energy’s cellular shade guide explains how the shade design helps.
Motorized shades make it easier to cover a window wall after sunset. Image courtesy of Somfy Systems.
Humans being what they are, pulling a half dozen blinds or panels down every evening soon becomes a chore. That’s why I like automated systems, especially for a bank of windows you want to open and close together.
Three systems to compare
Somfy TaHoma Switch. If you already have compatible Somfy motors or want to choose the shade separately, TaHoma lets you group shades and schedule them by room. Check motor compatibility and ask about the insulating shade itself when getting a quote.
Lutron Serena. Serena smart honeycomb shades combine a motor with insulating cellular fabric. Use the online configurator to compare prices for your actual opening and account for any hub you need for scheduling.
Hunter Douglas Duette. Duette honeycomb shades offer an insulating cellular design, with some fabrics made from more than 50 percent recycled content. Ask a dealer about the PowerView option and get a quote for the measured opening, controls and installation.
For a south-facing room in winter, start by opening the shades when the sun is warming the room and closing them once that gain is gone. Adjust the schedule if the room overheats or the sun is blocked. Compare quotes for the same opening and include the shade, controls, power supply and installation.
Updated content · November 12, 2026
By Matt Power, Editor-In-Chief
Veteran journalist Matt Power has reported on innovation and sustainability in housing for nearly three decades. An award-winning writer, editor, and filmmaker, he has a long history of asking hard questions and adding depth and context as he unfolds complex issues.Also Read