Thrifty Thursday: Invest in Thermal Shades

Does it seem thrifty for me to tell you to invest in thermal shades in order to save money, but sometimes you do have to spend money to save money (& make money too :) )

But the great thing about thermal shades is that is provides an additional barrier (a thermal one) between your the elements outside and the inside of your home.

In the summer, the heat that can be transferred to your home through a window can be substantial. And then you are left with a heating out in the summer, which will cost additional money to cool. But in the winter the coldness can transfer through your windows, thus causing you to invest more money in heating.

This particular window is on the south side of our home, which receives the most sunlight, so it remains closed all summer. I sometimes do open these shades during spring & fall, but because it is across from our TV, it usually remains closed so that we don't have a glare.

Tips from Kiwi Magazine

These tips came in an email newsletter I got from Kiwi Magazine:

Between car washes, pools, air conditioners, and fans, it can be hard to conserve water and energy during the summer. These tips will help you make the most of these precious resources:
* Run the dishwasher and washing machine in the morning or evening, so your air-conditioner won’t have to work extra hard to compensate for the heat of these appliances.
* When washing your car or letting your kids play in the sprinkler, do it in a place where the lawn needs watering anyway, rather than on the driveway or sidewalk.
* Ceiling fans are a great way to cool down, but remember that fans cool you, not the room, so turn them off every time you leave. (Click here for more tips on staying cool while going green.)
* Cover your pool when you’re not using it so the water won’t evaporate as quickly. Also, turn the heater off or down to prevent rapid evaporation (the warmer the water is, the quicker it will evaporate).