Air conditioners can really hike up your electric bill, but in the hot summer months, how can you go without? You don’t have to if you make some minor adjustments around your home. One thing you can do is install reflective film on your windows.

“According to the California Energy Commission, 30% of a structure's cooling requirements are due to solar energy entering through glass. Reflective film reflects the sun's heat from your windows, and can block 40-60% of heat and modern films reflect heat away without blocking the light too, so you can still have nice, bright rooms. Film costs about $3-7.50 per square foot installed, or do-it-your-selfers can get the material from a home improvement store for about $1-2 a square foot. The payback period is 3 to 5 years (or maybe less, if the cost of electricity continues to rise). It's critical to use film that blocks very little light, otherwise you'll run more lighting inside which will heat up the building and defeat the point. (more from ChiefEngineer.org)”

Photo CC 2.0, Marius!!