Though summer brings a lot of perks with it, those seem to fade away when you take a look at your energy bill. Fortunately, there are cost-effective ways you can keep your home cool and help your AC to operate more economically. One way is to use exterior window treatments to block out the heat from the sun. Keep reading to learn more about the different types of exterior window treatments and how they can keep your home cooler.

Closeable Shutters

One of the most common types of exterior window treatment is closeable shutters. These do more than add charm to your harm; they can be shut to prevent sunlight from entering your house. This way, solar heat cannot be transferred from the window glass into your home.

Awnings

Awnings are placed above windows and provide shade for the inside of your home. They can be made of a number of materials including canvas, metals, and synthetics. There are stationary awnings and retractable awnings that allow you to adjust the angle of the awning or retract it entirely. By blocking the sun out of your home, the temperature will naturally lower, meaning your AC won’t need to work as hard to keep the home comfortable.

Window Overhangs

Overhangs are not a separate piece, but rather a part of the roof that blocks the sun from entering windows. They are a great way to block out the sun if they already exist on your home. Otherwise, they can be costly and difficult to install, unless you are currently building a new home.

Windows Screens

You may be surprised to find out that windows screens can also help to diffuse solar heat. Just make sure the mesh is made of high-quality material and the screen covers the whole window. This will make this window treatment as effective as possible.

Storm Panels

Storm panels can help to keep your home cooler by blocking out the sun’s rays that would otherwise heat up your home. They are similar to shutters, but they are specially designed for homes that often experience hurricanes or tropical storms. They are meant to protect homes from the bad weather. Though they may not be as physically attractive as shutters, they can still do a great job of making your air conditioner more efficient.

Other Ways to Improve Your AC’s Efficiency

Installing the right exterior window treatment is just one way to keep your home cool and help your air conditioner to be more efficient. Here are a few other ways you can boost the efficacy of your AC:

  • Schedule an annual air conditioner inspection
  • Change your air filter when it gets dirty
  • If your AC is more than 15 years old, consider getting it replaced
  • Install a programmable thermostat and set it to a higher temperature when you are asleep or not at home

Making necessary repairs is another big part of making sure your AC runs efficiently. If it is broken, you will be wasting a lot more energy when trying to keep your home at a comfortable temperature. Contact an AC repair service in Braselton, GA, so they can repair your air conditioner and keep it as efficient as possible.

To guarantee your air conditioner runs efficiently this summer, contact us at Triad Mechanical to schedule an inspection and to make any necessary repairs.