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With the rising costs of fuel in the United States people's wallets aren't only taking hits at the gas pump, but they are also taking hits on their home or apartment utility bills. However, there is good news for the energy consumer. The United States Department of Energy has reported that window treatments such as cellular shades can reduce energy waste and therefore energy costs by some 20 percent each year. The average family can save around $325 per year on energy costs by using energy efficient window coverings.

'Nowadays you have to save as much money as possible to pay for the rising costs of fuel,' says Harry Delp, an expert on window shades and window treatments. 'It only makes sense to install shades that have been proven by the United States Department of Energy to save you money.'

Not all window coverings are created equal in their ability to reduce energy consumption and waste. Window Quilts are the most energy efficient but have functional styling limitations. Bamboo blinds, wood blinds, and mini blinds offer varying degrees of insulation, but without some kind of privacy liner attached the insulating value offered is minimal.

Cellular shades on the other hand are aesthetically appealing, offer a wide variety of hardware upgrades, and offer the highest level of insulation second only to window quilts.

Cellular shades are available in room darkening, light filtering, and complete blackout. They are available in 3/8', 12' and 34' cells. Cellular shades have air pockets between the layers of fabric which trap air and prevent escape. The more cells, the higher the R-value.

In an attempt to increase the energy efficiency level of their cellular shades, Comfortex Window Fashions based in New York, developed a unique upgrade called the ComfortTrack' Energy Saving Sidetrack System.

When a cellular shade is combined with this energy efficient sidetrack system a tough barrier is formed between the frame and the fabric resulting in an increased level of privacy and a thermal performance ranking as high as five times higher than that of a regular pane window. This treatment has been successful for even the most uneconomical windows in the windiest conditions.

Cellular shades can be purchased conveniently through the Internet which will save you even more with the rising costs of fuel. Some websites selling cellular shades and other window coverings offer free shipping on all orders within the main 48 states.