When you try to size an air conditioner for a room ahead of a purchase, one of the questions that you get asked is about the size of the window in the room. If you have a large window that lets in a lot of sunshine, it would raise the temperature considerably. The air-conditioning contractor will usually tell you that you can save a lot on your heating bills by using tinted film of some kind on the window. It’ll keep out some of the sun, and make your home cooler.

Those windows will make your home cooler in winter, too.

According to Kay Heating and Air, a leading professional heating repair service, the equation works the other way around in the cool months. If your window catches the sun in the winter, but it has tinted film, it won’t let in the warmth that you need. It’ll cost you energy to have it in place. You’ll want to take the film off.

There’s another way to look at the problem. If you don’t have film, but instead have a layer of dirt, condensation or snow on your windows, it will have much the same effect — it’ll make it hard for the sun to warm up your home.

Cleaning your windows on a regular basis can help you save on your energy bills. While a lot can depend on how much sun you get, what the climate in your area is like, the size of your windows and the direction that the windows face, it’s safe to say that keeping those windows clean and uncovered will help.

You do need energy-efficient windows

The warmth of the sun entering your home can be easily overpowered by the ability of the windows to radiate heat right back out. If you can invest in new, energy-efficient windows, it can be a huge step to curbing such radiation. If a large investment of this kind is a problem, you should at least invest in weather stripping, caulking and a window insulation kit.

Harness the sun in other ways

If your roof has dark-colored shingles, there will be little heat reflected back up; most of the heat coming down will be put to use heating your home. If the roof is a lighter color, you should get in touch with a contractor about painting it a different color.

If you can afford to invest in home enhancement, you should consider getting a sun room. When properly located and designed as an extension to your home, a sun room can gather a great deal of the sun’s heat, and transfer it within to warm your home.