[HamRadioRocks]

Some of the windows on the southwest and northwest faces of my house are exposed to direct sunlight due to the lack of a tree or awning to provide shade. (Since I rent, I'm not authorized to make home improvements.)

So I just taped aluminum foil to the interior of these windows. The blinds don't do the best job of shading - they are beige and only partially obscure the direct sunlight. Aluminum foil, on the other hand, is opaque and also reflects the sunlight AWAY from the house. Since less direct sunlight can get in, the rooms should heat up less. If I really want to be a purist, I'd cover the glass entirely, but I'm leaving small gaps between the window frames and the foil coverings to let in a little bit of light.

I'm surprised that none of the experts on energy conservation suggest this. This is a cheap and easy solution. I also figured that if aluminum foil works well for the window shade in the car, it should work well for the house as well.

[Tanada]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('HamRadioRocks', 'S')ome of the windows on the southwest and northwest faces of my house are exposed to direct sunlight due to the lack of a tree or awning to provide shade. (Since I rent, I'm not authorized to make home improvements.)

So I just taped aluminum foil to the interior of these windows. The blinds don't do the best job of shading - they are beige and only partially obscure the direct sunlight. Aluminum foil, on the other hand, is opaque and also reflects the sunlight AWAY from the house. Since less direct sunlight can get in, the rooms should heat up less. If I really want to be a purist, I'd cover the glass entirely, but I'm leaving small gaps between the window frames and the foil coverings to let in a little bit of light.

I'm surprised that none of the experts on energy conservation suggest this. This is a cheap and easy solution. I also figured that if aluminum foil works well for the window shade in the car, it should work well for the house as well.

[Ludi]

Many people prefer to use reflective window films instead of foil because you can still get some light through the window and you're able to see out. You can also use light colored, tightly woven drapes.

[Heineken]

Ludi's approach is far better.

I advise having a professional install the film or it may end up looking like s-h-i-t.

[NEOPO]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Heineken', 'L')udi's approach is far better.
I advise having a professional install the film or it may end up looking like s-h-i-t.

[Ludi]

I didn't find it especially difficult to apply, and it doesn't look too crappy. It certainly looks better than aluminum foil!

For the frugal, or poor, pro installation may not be an option.

[Loki]

Aluminum foil works pretty well in deflecting the mind-control transmissions MLB beams down from their satellites. I imagine it would also work well to deflect the sun's transmissions. But I like to occasionally look out my window, ya know, just to see if "they" are coming.

As for energy conservation, it takes an enormous amount of electricity to produce aluminum products. Just get better blinds.

[elocs]

I use blackout cloth on my windows. I originally put it up to block out the light for when I watched movies on my front projector. It works great for blocking sunlight and it was also handy for keeping the bedroom dark when I was sleeping during the day because I was working 3rd shift. Blackout cloth is simply the lining that is used on drapes to block out the sun and is sold on roll in fabric stores. In spite of being called "blackout" cloth it is near white in color and is also used by people with front projectors to make their screens.

[SILENTTODD]

On the Cheapie, just paint the glass with White Paint. Most of which is made these days with titanium that lets the light in but the Heat out.

[aldente]

To bend the topic here slightly, you might also look into building an orgone accumulator, as long as you have access to natural resources per mouse click. Don't use any aluminium though when building an accumulator, regular steel wool will do fine (per Wilhelm Reich aluminium acttually is an element you will want to actually avoid). how to build an orgon accumulator
Why the input? Instead of looking for protecting yourself from the outside world (and heat) of the times to come go straight forward and expose yourself to 'yourself' (the idea there with an accumulator).

Here another example: Orgone

[NeoPeasant]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Loki', 'A')luminum foil works pretty well in deflecting the mind-control transmissions MLB beams down from their satellites.

[Loki]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('NeoPeasant', 'W')hy is Major League Baseball trying to control our minds?

[drew]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Loki', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('NeoPeasant', 'W')hy is Major League Baseball trying to control our minds?

[HamRadioRocks]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Loki', 'B')ut I like to occasionally look out my window, ya know, just to see if "they" are coming.
As for energy conservation, it takes an enormous amount of electricity to produce aluminum products. Just get better blinds.

[Loki]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('HamRadioRocks', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Loki', 'B')ut I like to occasionally look out my window, ya know, just to see if "they" are coming.
As for energy conservation, it takes an enormous amount of electricity to produce aluminum products. Just get better blinds.

[BrownDog]

When I rented, I'd tape the foil to a piece of cardboard and put that in the windows. The cardboard acts as an insulator, and allows the foil to easily be removed or reinstalled at will. It also allows you to use thinner foil and still have some durability.

[Etalon]

sounds like a good idea, HamRadioRocks.

As to the electricity usage to make the foil.. it cant be that much, the foil is so cheap! How much aluminium are you really using? Hardly any, the stuff is so thin.

[NeoPeasant]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('drew', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Loki', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('NeoPeasant', '
')
Why is Major League Baseball trying to control our minds?

[Doly]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('NeoPeasant', '
')Giving up the Simpsons was the among the toughest parts of eliminating television from my life a few years ago.