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Save big bucks. Picking the right windows and putting them in the right places can reduce energy costs by 35 percent or more.

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Reduce energy costs by up to 35 percent by installing the right windows.

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For warmth and light: Put larger windows on the south and west sides of the house, where they will receive the most sunlight. Plant deciduous trees on those sides to shade the house in summer but allow the sunlight through in winter.

For cool breezes: Windows placed diagonally from one another allow air to channel through, not across a space. High openings such as clerestory windows or venting skylights on the roof funnel warm air out and increase air circulation throughout the home.

Window treatments.Shades or drapes can protect against heat, prevent the loss of heat and help control light. Awnings or overhangs on the south and west sides of a home can deflect the intense sunlight in summer when the sun is high in the sky.

Energy-efficient design. Look for low-e, gas-filled and double or triple panes for maximum efficiency. Tinting can help manage sunlight on the south and west sides.

Make sure they open. Take advantage of the weather when the temperature is right. Throw open the windows and turn off the machinery.

Source: Andersen Windows, andersenwindows.com