Staying Cool At Home While Saving On Energy Costs (NAPSA)—Before summer kicks into high gear, consider converting your home into an ecofriendly and energy-saving one. An excellent place to start is with your window coverings. Cooling your house with cellular shades, solar screens or window film provides a multitude of benefits that can not only save you money, but create a more enjoyable home environment aswell. Studies have shown that the largest portion of a home’s energy bill comes from the heating and cooling of its interior. While many families are not in a position to make costly energy-efficient updates to their air-conditioning systems, installing window treatments that help regulate internal temperatures is the next best thing. Cellular Shades Few window coverings can provide better insulation than cellular shades. Because of their doublecell design, they help keep air from entering and/or escaping. As a result, your home will be cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. This can lead to energy bill savings of up to 30 percent. Cellular shades come in varioustransparencies to help you create the ideal privacy andlightinglevels. Solar Screens Solar screens are a summertime necessity. They effectively block the sun’s rays while allowing cool breezes through on hot days. If used throughout the home, solar screens can lower interior temperatures by as much as 10 degrees, reducing dependency on air-conditioning systems. Retractable screens are also avail- Step up to a more comfortable home with special window treatments. able, which allow you to open your view at any time. This makes them ideal for porches andpatios. Window Film Many homeowners have beautiful views that they would like to preserve. This makesit difficult to find the right window treatment. Window film is an excellent solution. Window film blocks over 80 percent of the sun’s UV rays while providing an unobstructed view of the outside. It also reduces solar heat gain while protecting your interiors from the sun. Summertimeis the perfect season to enjoy get-togethers with friends and family, and choosing the right window coverings can help you celebrate in comfort and style while reducing your energy costs. Budget Blinds has a wide selection of energy-efficient window coverings available to help keep your homecool in the summer. The company provides free in-home consultations and complete measuring and installation services. For more information, visit www.budgetblinds.com.
