The sun is a welcomed guest in just about any room, but over time, it can cause trouble. Sunlight streaming through windows can overheat a room, raise cooling costs, bleach out furnishings and cause glare. Take care when piecing together a sun-drenched room so that its pleasures outweigh the potential problems and its energy costs don’t overburden family finances.

Windows are notorious for throwing away hard-earned money by failing to create enough of a barrier between the elements that homeowners want to keep outside of the house and the amenities they don’t want to let escape.

Consider 2010 the year of the smarter-than-you window. Energy-efficient windows, shades, insulation, screens and films are quickly becoming the norm, replacing predecessors that have long been slacking on the job. Some window accoutrements take the burden entirely off homeowners, simply needing to be programmed once and then opening, closing, tilting and shading based off the position of the sun.

Homeowners who buy and install windows that will increase their existing primary residences’ energy efficiency by Dec. 31, 2010 will qualify for tax credits at 30 percent of the cost, up to a total credit of $1,500. Beyond replacing actual windows, there are window fashions that can help save the budget, too. Choose window treatments that help you manage light better.