- 1). Locate the windows on your house that face either south or east. These are the windows that should be shaded, since these are the ones responsible for letting most of the heat into your house. You may also want to shade west-facing windows in sunny areas.
- 2). Identify what type of window shades will fit these windows. In most cases, exterior window shades that roll up and down work best, since they can be raised or lowered to suit current conditions and can be raised for the winter to take advantage of the sun's heat during the colder months. Choose a color that goes well with your house, but bear in mind that shades that are white or another light color will help keep the house cooler by not only shading the window but also reflecting a large amount of the heat away from your house completely.
- 3). Buy window shades large enough to cover these windows top to bottom and that overlap the sides slightly, so that all heat is stopped before it reaches your house. Look for window shades that are at least 2 to 4 inches wider and 3 to 4 inches longer than your windows.
- 4). Install the window shades over every window that is a significant source of heat during the summer months. Keep the windows covered at all times when the sun is on them to prevent excess heat from getting into your home. If you open the shades part of the time so that you can see out or to take advantage of cooler evening temperatures, be sure to close them again before the sun hits that side of your house.
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