Keeping Your Home Cool Without Escalating Utility Bills
We are in the middle of a hot, sweltering summer. Needless to say, the warm outdoor temperatures probably have your home’s air conditioner running continuously throughout the day. With the central AC running so often, it can lead to skyrocketing utility bills from month to month.
Follow the simple tips below to help keep your home cool and comfortable, all while hopefully reducing your monthly energy bills:
- Turn off lights when you aren’t using them. Incandescent light bulbs don’t just use more electricity than modern, energy-efficient LED bulbs, but they also can give off a lot of heat. When you are finished in a room, shut all the lights off and it can help to cool the area by a few degrees.
- Improve the insulation in your attic. This is especially important if you are living in an older home that may have been built before some of the more efficient and robust insulating materials available today were around. Adding more insulation to your attic space can help to prevent cool air from escaping, and it can also stop hot outdoor air from getting inside. This is useful during the winter months, as well.
- Unplug electronics when they’re not being used. Many homeowners don’t realize that their TVs, sound systems, and computers all use electricity even when they aren’t turned on. This can generate heat. When you aren’t using these items, unplug them.
- Save heat-generating activities for early or late in the day. If you need to iron, wash dishes, or use the oven, try to do these activities in the morning or after the sun has set. These activities can generate a lot of heat and make the inside of your home very warm.
- Have your air conditioner maintained annually. A well-maintained air conditioner runs more efficiently than one that hasn’t been tuned up. During a maintenance appointment, all components of the cooling system are inspected and cleared of built-up dirt and dust. Additionally, a well-maintained cooling system is able to better dehumidify the air in your home. This means that you don’t have to set the thermostat at a very low temperature since the air won’t feel humid and hot. That’s why we offer affordable cooling repair plans in many markets.
- Grill out as often as you can. Enjoy the summer weather and cook meals outdoors when you can. This prevents your home from warming up from cooking on the stove or from using the oven.
These easy-to-follow tips will help keep your home comfortable all season long, and they will hopefully help you to lower your utility bills each month this summer.