> [High AC cost.] Perhaps we have too many windows letting in too much sunlight...

My office has automatic blinds that open and close according to some climate control system. The blinds are within the double glazing, so they can't be damaged by weather (or cats). The nice version for a home would be something like [1].

I'm sure the owner could program the automation so they only change position if no-one is in the room. There's no point having sunlight streaming into an empty room.

[1] https://www.betweenglassblinds.co.uk/

In the winter in a normal European/northern US climate, you probably want sunlight streaming into an empty room to reduce the heating bill.

Possibly never in Austin, TX: I am not too privy to the temperatures it gets down to in the winter, though heating was brought up too.

Yeah good idea. We do have electric shades on many of the windows... I just need to rig up some software control of them. I suppose as an experiment I could leave them all down for a day and see how much power it saves. The shades are on the inside of the glass, but light-colored, so should reflect back a fair amount of light.

That's awesome! Unfortunately it's all "request a quote". Can you shed some light on how much you paid?