Smart Ways To Stay Cool and Save on Energy This Summer

As the weather begins to heat up during the summer months, many homeowners begin to worry about the increased energy costs that can disrupt their household budgets. You don’t have to sacrifice your family’s comfort by skimping on cooling. You can take proactive steps to keep your electric bill in line by following a few recommended energy tips for cooling your home in summer:

Install A Programmable Thermostat

A programmable thermostat allows you to set the times when you are not at home and don’t require the extra cooling power from your air conditioning system. You can then set it to lower the temperature a short time before you arrive at home to ensure a comfortable indoor temperature. Energy experts calculate that this simple measure can save from 5 to 15 percent on your energy costs in summer!

Change Your Air Filter Regularly

The more you use your air-conditioning, the more air, dirt, and dust gets pushed through the system. Energy experts recommend changing the filter on your unit at least monthly. This should be done more frequently if you live in an area with significant amounts of dust or pollution. Providing a clean filter will help your system work more efficiently and will reduce the wear on internal parts.

Regular Maintenance of Your HVAC System

Have a reputable air-conditioning contractor inspect your HVAC system annually to ensure its proper operation. These checkups can prevent annoying breakdowns of your cooling system at inconvenient times and can save you money over the long run. Many homeowners overlook this simple way to increase the efficiency of their air conditioning system. Appliance insurance generally provides regular inspections that can catch small problems before they become larger issues.

Invest in an Energy Efficient HVAC System

If your air-conditioning unit is nearing the time for retirement, start looking at the new energy-efficient models that can save you a significant amount of money during the summer months. These Energy Star-rated units can provide the comfort you need at considerable savings over the life of the equipment.

Use Fans

You don’t have to reach for the air-conditioning controls whenever the temperature rises. Overhead fans are a good way to circulate air throughout the house when your home’s interior gets a bit warm. Even a small box fan used with open windows can do a good job of cooling small areas, without making a bit dent in your energy budget. In areas when night’s are cooler, open the windows and turn on a fan instead of using your air-conditioning system, and you will save big on your electric bills.

Use Plants To Shade Your Home

Many homeowners overlook the value of having trees and shrubs around the home to help keep the sun from warming up the home’s interior. These plants absorb the sun’s rays during the heat of the day, and also help to beautify your property. Energy experts say it’s worth the cost to plant a 15 to 20-foot tree on the side of your home that gets the most sun exposure to help reduce your air-conditioning costs.

Window Coverings

Another way to keep your home interior cool during the hot days of summer is to install solar screens that absorb up to 70 percent of the heat of the sun. These special screens can be especially effective on east or west-facing windows. Window film is another shading alternative for homes. These products are transparent and metalized, allowing them to reflect heat before it enters the window glass.