Windows are one of the most attractive features of your home, especially if you’ve installed newer replacement windows in your home with a certified contractor – it keeps your home looking modern. While replacement windows provide the view, natural light, ventilation and solar heat in the winter they also come with some downsides; your windows typically account for 10 to 25 percent of your heating and energy bills.

During the summer months, your air conditioner has to work a great deal harder in order to cool the home because of all the sun streaming in through your windows. To counter this, you can use energy star windows as well as appropriate curtains and shades to give that AC system a bit of a break. Low-e windows also help by cutting the cooling load in your home by as much as 15%.

Many US homes are still sporting single-pane windows as well. If this is the case for your home, now is the time to consider replacement windows. The cost to you via energy and heating bills by sticking with single-pane windows far exceeds the cost of replacement windows with a certified general contractor or specialized window contractor. The best choice is often high-performance glass (like low-e glass) or an upgrade to double-pane replacement windows. If you’re not sure which is appropriate it’s best to work with a contractor that can lead you to the right decision.

For colder climate homes, a smart choice to improve energy savings is to upgrade to gas filled windows with low emissivity (low-e) coatings on the glass. This is designed to reduce the transfer of heat, thus reducing heat loss in the colder months such as the winters that the east coast experiences in states like Washington DC, Maryland or Virginia.

If you live in a warmer climate, try to choose replacement windows with a contractor that have spectrally selective coatings. This is designed to work like low-e coating, however these reduce heat gain – stopping the heat from transferring into the home. If you can’t afford replacement windows right now then there are some things you can do to improve the performance in the short term while you work on planning for replacement windows with a contractor.

For colder climates try insulating plastic that is placed over the window like a film. Shrink films are available that help reduce infiltration of cold. Likewise, install tight fitting window shades on drafter windows once your weatherization is completed. If you have the option to do so, make sure you install storm windows on the exterior of your home.

For warmer climates, use white window shades, drapes or blinds that help to act as a radiant barrier against the UV rays of the sun. You can also purchase and install sun-control or other reflective films on each of your windows. If you have the budget for it, you can fashion or purchase awnings for south and west facing windows that shield your home from the sun during the warmer part of the day.