Summer has more than arrived, and you’re wondering how you’ll manage to pay that high energy bill each month – one that’s started to rival your mortgage payments. So rather than accepting that you’ll be broke throughout the hot months, or sweaty the entire time, it’s time to talk about your home’s windows and how a few, relatively inexpensive steps can help you achieve a cooler home.

Windows are a significant pathway for heat to enter your home and, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, contribute to as much as one third of your summer cooling costs. So, what’s the solution?

Protection You Shouldn’t Use

Block them out with ugly sheets of tin foil? No way! Your home’s windows keep your place brightly lit, saving on lighting costs, as well as offer you that perfect garden view. Let’s face it; nobody wants to live in a cave with no windows. So blacking out the glass is not an option.

Of course, who wouldn’t want new energy-efficient windows installed? Unfortunately, those can be pretty pricey.

Sun-blocking window screens are the answer. But which is best for you?

Window Screens

Similar to regular window screens that keep out bugs, solar window screens are often made of a heavier material that is stretched over a frame and covers your entire window. These can be in various thicknesses, according to how much solar energy you choose to block, and are applied to the exterior of your home.

However, many homeowners do not like the aesthetic view they give to their home. They require hanging hardware to be attached your windows’ outside trim boards. They can also become easily damaged by storms.

If you’d like to learn more, contact the experts at FOR Energy to help you reduce your energy costs and make your home more energy efficient.