15 Ways to Stay Cool & Save

With summers trending hotter and budgets getting tighter, it's tough to stay cool. Here's how to reduce your summer energy bills without breaking the bank. Replace Your Windows According to the EPA, Energy Star-qualified windows can save the typical household $125-$450 per year in energy costs when replacing single-pane windows and $25-$110 per year when replacing double-pane clear-glass windows. What makes a window energy-efficient? -- Improved frame materials such as wood composites, vinyl, and fiberglass reduce heat transfer and improve insulation. -- Low-E glass with special coatings reflects infrared light, keeping out summer heat. -- Gases between the panes, such as argon or krypton, insulate better than regular air. -- Multiple panes of glass with air or gas in between insulate better than a single pane. -- Warm-edge spacers keep a window's panes the correct distance apart to reduce heat flow and prevent condensation. Parts 2-7 June 19,2010