Did you know your home windows can add to your electricity bill this summer by either letting in too much heat or letting out too much of the cool air? According to Energy Star, it could have as much as a 10-25% impact on the money you send off to the electric company.

Luckily there are ways to improve the situation without having to replace your windows.

Summer Window Tips:

• White window shades, drapes, curtains and even blinds can help reflect the heat away from entering your home.
• Keep curtains, or whichever window shade being used, closed on the south and west-facing windows of your house throughout the day.
• If possible, add awnings to your south and west-facing home windows as well. This can help with having shade and cooling temperatures for your windows.
• Adding sun-control or reflective films on south-facing windows can also reduce heat from the sun in your home.
• Installing cellular window shades is another great way to block solar heat gain and reduce energy cost.

Landscaping for Summer Shade:

Another tip to keep in mind when blocking out solar heat gain through your home windows is to carefully position trees around your yard. Trees, shrubs or vines are all natural and beautiful ways to give your house a cool shade for the summer. In fact, trees that give home windows a good amount of shade can save up to 25% of your energy cost and air temperatures can drop to 3-6 degrees cooler on any given summer day.

So keep in mind this summer – your windows can play a big role when it comes to your home energy!

(The San Antonio Energy Champions program is an energy-efficiency initiative started by Champion AC in San Antonio. It focuses on sharing tips on living a green life, educating elementary children about our community’s energy needs, cutting down on our environmental footprint and saving both money and energy at home.)