If you have a large window in your house that gets a lot of sun, whether the blinds are open or closed through out the day could make a significant difference in your heating and cooling energy costs.

The photo below shows the difference in temperature inside and outside a parked car in the winter. The temperature inside the car is about 20 degrees Celsius warmer then outside.

What if your blinds worked automatically to take advantage of this heat energy.  In the winter time when the sun was shinning through the window the blinds would open to use the radiant heat from the sun to help heat the house and at night or when it was cloudy the blinds would close to help insulate from the outside cold.

We all know how much heat can build up in a car in the summer and the same goes for your house if the sun is shining in. In the summer time the blinds would do the opposite. When the sun was shining through the window the blinds would close keeping the house cooler and saving on air conditioning costs.

PROTOTYPE PLANS

Only when direct sunlight comes in contact with the solar cell would the circuit board activate the motor.  When the 3 way switch was set to winter the blinds would open but when there is no direct sunlight making contact with the solar cell the blinds would close.  When the switch is in the manual position the power is disconnected to the motor and the blinds remain in what ever position they are set.  When set for summer the blinds would close whenever direct sunlight comes in contact with the solar cell.  The solar cell would also keep the 2 x “AA”  rechargeable batteries charged.

Dave Lister

listerlogic.com

Note: This is an original idea by me but there may be similar products or patents already.  I am not an expert, if you attempt to build always consult with an expert and check with all local code and laws.  Build at own risk.