What's in a Pelmet?
The poor old pelmet is probably one of the most misunderstood components of any home. It is not unsual to see clients remove pelmets in a home as part of the remodelling process after they buy a new home.
The old fashioned pelmet serves an important function and purpose which can significantly reduce both heating and cooling energy bills. So how do they work?
From a heating and cooling point of view the pelmet can be an important piece of kit. Lets tackle how it helps to keep a home cool during summer. During a normal summers day the temperature outside continues to rise well above what the internal temperature of the home is. As this takes place the heat will look at moving through the windows into the home itself. The external air will warm the glass of the window and then the internal air which is in direct contact with the glass. As this air is heated it will rise and make its way into the room space.
With normal or poor fittings curtains it is impossible to contain this warm air and prevent it from entering the room space. However the pelmet effectively stops this rising air from moving up from behind the curtain into the room itself. This reduces the cooling that is needed during summer.
What about during winter. In summer we want to keep the hot air out - however in winter the oppoiste is true - we want to keep the warm air in. When we have a fir or a heater inside the room during winter it heats the internal air which rises to the ceiling and a convection begins. As this air slowly cools it begins to fall back to the ground level and part of this air will make contact with the glass in the windows on its journey. If you have ever put your hand on a typical window during a cold night you will know how cold the glass is and why any heat which comes in contact the glass will be transferred through the window.
Once again a pelmet prevents the warm air from inside the room coming into contact with the glass. In this process it signifcantly reduces any heat loss which may normally occur through the window.
So you can think of the pelmet as a border guard/prison guard. Keeping the hot air out during summer and keeping the warm air in during winter!
When thinking about window coverings either have close fittings curtains installed or think about using a pelmet to make your home more comfortable during summer and winter.