Thermal shades make an energy efficient window covering that controls your heat loss & heat gain...all day, all night, all year, no matter where you live. Thermal Shades are made with insulating air pockets to create a sort of blanket. From the side, some thermal shades resemble honeycombs. Thermal Shades will work on any window or glass area & they're easy to install. The best part...you don't have to lose your view! While some brands consist of opaque or translucent ‘blankets,’ clear models are also available.

Look for a thermal shade's R-value, which measures its resistance to heat flow. A higher R-value means that the material is more energy efficient. Thermal shades run $350 to $500 and up for a 48- by 60-inch window.

According to Department of Energy studies, consumers with older windows can trim 5 to 10 percent off their energy bill by simply closing shades or drapes when the sun isn't coming through the window.