An SPF window film applied to west-facing windows that take the brunt of the afternoon sun blocks UV rays and infrared heat without blocking the view, potentially lowering indoor temperature by 15 degrees or more and cutting cooling costs by around 10 percent.
Three Ways to Cut Summer Cooling Costs
Running the air conditioner can account for as much as 70 percent of a summer utility bill. A few changes make it possible to beat the heat without the bill climbing quite so high.
Block Heat With Window Film
Optimize Fan Placement
A floor fan uses only about 15 to 19 watts compared to roughly 3,500 watts for central air, and can make a room feel up to 10 degrees cooler; placing a fan near an AC vent can boost the vent's effective range by about 25 percent.
Try a Personal Evaporative Cooler
A free-standing evaporative cooler, which pulls air over water-chilled pads, can cool an individual space using a fraction of the energy a central air conditioner uses, making it a practical option when only one room needs cooling rather than the whole house.
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