Some of you have seen my theater setup in the basement.  I'm about to replace the center-piece of the theater.  The old PC down there is going away soon.  My goal is to build a energy efficient & high performance computer that will serve as my Media Center, central file storage, and Virtual server.  

About two weeks ago, I got a grand idea to give our west-facing windows a little upgrade.  We've always got the blinds closed on the west side because of the strong glare & heat that it radiates into the house.   I went out and bought some Low-E Window Film for about $30 (enough for 4-5 windows that are 3ft wide).  The product advertizes upto 70% less heat gain in summer and 55% heat savings in the winter.  Additionally, it advertizes reduced glare and 99% UV protection - which will prevent color fade for furnature, pictures, artwork, etc, etc.

This link explains more about how Low-E Window Film works.