German skyscraper adds energy efficient feature

A skyscraper in Bonn, Germany, has found an innovative way to keep their rooms cool during the summer. According to the Ottawa Citizen, the Post Tower has been outfitted with a computerized system that allows windows to respond to the sun's position in the sky. With this feature, the windows convert sunlight into energy, reduce solar glare and let in wind.

"It's a miracle what they're doing," window treatment expert Jim Olbrys told the news source.

While this is certainly a high-tech way at keeping a building cool, homeowners can find eco-friendly alternatives that may have a similar effect. The news provider reports that hanging solar screen shades can reduce the temperature of the interior by stopping the sun's rays before they pass through the window.

Using solar screen shades can reduce the amount of time one needs to run the air conditioner, which is one of the most frequently used appliances in the United States. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, air conditioners use about 5 percent of all the electricity produced in the country, costing homeowners over $11 billion.