If you live in a warmer climate area like Arizona, then you know that keeping your home cool can be expensive, especially in the summer. In fact, consumers spend more than $11 billion every year just to keep their house cool. So, let’s discuss five things you can do for a cooler home during the summer months.
Proper Insulation
Depending on the age of your home, cool air could be seeping out through the windows and other areas like the attic. Poorly insulated window seals and attics can be leaking your cool air out during the summer months. If you’re not sure about the insulation in your home, you can have someone from your local utility company or a local contractor come to your home and do an energy audit to check your insulation.
Upgrade Your Thermostat
You probably never thought about upgrading to a smart thermostat, but a smart thermostat will keep your home cool and cut your energy cost. Smart thermostats work by regulating temperatures in your home while you are gone or asleep. Plus, smart thermostats allow you to adjust them remotely using your smartphone.
So if you’re out all day, you can turn the thermostat up and, when you’re ready to go home, you can turn it back down, so it’s cool when you arrive. In fact, it’s recommended that you turn your thermostat up to about 78 degrees when you’re not home to save you money.
Regular Air Conditioning Maintenance Checks
You should get your air conditioning, or AC unit, serviced regularly throughout the year to make sure it’s running efficiently. A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning or HVAC technician can service your AC unit by checking to make sure the coils are working properly, the refrigerant is at proper levels, and check voltage connections.
Regular AC unit maintenance checks also include changing your filter every few months, but more often if you have kids or pets.
Reduce Sunlight in Your Home
When it’s sunny outside, we’re tempted to open the shades or blinds to allow the sunlight in, but this adds to the warmth of your home. Avoid opening your blinds or shades during the hours with the most sunlight streaming, so your home stays cool.
Use a Fan
Ceiling fans are an inexpensive way to keep your home cool during the summer. In fact, using a ceiling fan can make your room feel cooler while lowering your energy bills, and take some of the strain off of your air conditioning unit. Window fans also keep your home cool and save your money because they use less energy. The key to properly cooling your home using a window fan is to make sure you place the fan in a window that’s facing away from the air. Also, windows that are close to the fan should be closed tightly, and the windows further from the fan should be open.
There are several things you can do as a homeowner to keep your home cool in the summer while keeping your energy costs low.
