If you’re like most homeowners you’re looking for ways to save money in your household budget. And in the summer months when the heat and humidity are on the increase so too are your cooling bills. This year, as we spend more time at home, it’s even more important to find ways to save.
When you consider that since 2006, home utility expenses have risen more than 30 percent, you can see the need to find ways to keep your home cool without having to run the air conditioner 24/7. Here are some tips to help you cool your home more cost efficiently:
- Make certain your air conditioning unit isn’t placed in direct sunlight. This will make it work harder and longer than it needs to. If it will be placed in an area with direct sunlight, construct a roof over it or plant trees to shade it.
- Plant trees that can help shade some of the windows in your home. You certainly don’t want to block all natural sunlight, but strategically placed trees will help with your summer cooling costs.
- If it’s cool enough at night, turn the air conditioner off and take advantage of the cool night air. Use a window fan to pull in more of the cooler night air to help keep the rooms in the house more comfortable.
- Using fans throughout your home, both ceiling and window or floor models, can help move cooled air throughout the home and are more cost efficient than an air conditioner. Running your ceiling fans will help keep the cooled air pushed toward the floor where you truly need it.
- Close the curtains during the hottest part of the day to keep the sun from adding to the home’s internal temperature.
When you can, enjoy time by the swimming pool. While it won’t cool your house down, it will help you feel more comfortable.
