Don't Throw Money Out the Window

Over the winter we shared tips for ways to keep warm air in your house to prevent unwanted heat loss that results in wasted energy and money. We discussed several methods for ensuring that all the heat your system was working hard to produce, wasn’t lost.

The same principles apply when looking for ways to keep hot air out, and moreover, the cool air in. During the dog days of this summer – which are known to drag out in New England – use the following tips and tricks to ensure that you aren’t losing any of your energy to the outdoors.

Window Treatments

Window treatments are sometimes considered an afterthought in regards to your home. However, blinds, curtains, shutters and even awnings can provide big energy savings during the hottest days of summer.

1. If you haven’t already, install blinds or curtains that deflect the sun away from your home. Choosing a lighter color will still allow some natural light into the home without all the heat that comes with it. Draw the curtains during the day in the places that get the most direct sunlight. Once evening rolls around, you can open them back up and even open a window or two for a nice breeze. Just be sure you don’t have your central air conditioning system on as well, otherwise you’ll be letting that cool air right out the window.


2. Consider installing awnings on the south and west facing windows. These windows typically get hit the hardest by heat because they are facing the direction of the sun.
   If the thought of a permanent awning isn’t appealing, retractable window awnings are also available that let you pull them open when you want to use them, and stow them away neatly when you don’t.


3. There’s no need to shudder at the thought of installing shutters. In fact, many types of shutters are easy to install and provide a nice added touch to your home’s interior and exterior. Shutters have become extremely affordable and are a great way to not only keep the heat out in the summer, but to also trap it inside during the winter. Take a look at the different styles available for your home online and think about whether you’d like to install them yourself or have a professional help.

To discover even more great ways to save on energy this year, be sure to check out other articles on Mass Saver.