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How to Keep House Cool in Summer at Lower Cost

As the weather starts to heat up, many homeowners will want AC. But as you may know from experience or hear others complain about their high energy bills – cooling down can be expensive! Luckily there is help for those who need relief without breaking the bank with cooling costs – try these tips below. To help you out, here are a few simple ways to keep house cool and lower your cooling costs in spring and summer.

Popular Ways to Cool Down a Room

Block the Sunlight

By blocking out the sunlight, you can help to keep your house cooler and prevent the sun from heating up your furniture and belongings. In addition, keeping curtains and blinds closed will also help to reduce glare and protect your skin from harmful UV rays. So next time you’re wondering how to block the sun out, remember that closing your curtains or blinds is a good place to start.

Window awnings

Window awnings are one of the most underrated home improvement investments. Home window awnings create shade inside of your home by preventing sunlight from entering, therefore reducing the temperature of your home. Not only do they provide much-needed shade on hot summer days, but they can also help to reduce energy costs and protect your furniture from fading. In addition, window awnings can add a touch of style to any home. Whether you choose a traditional fabric design or a modern aluminum frame, window awnings are an easy way to boost your curb appeal. So if you’re looking for a way to beat the heat and save some money, consider investing in window awnings. They just might be the best decision you ever make for your home.

Creating a cooler environment by reducing heat gain will help your home feel comfortable, and it will also allow you to operate your AC less often and at a higher temperature, reducing your energy use and, subsequently, your costs. You can even find automated window awnings that you can set on a schedule, automatically raise when the sun’s out, or control from your smartphone!

Awnings can help reduce cooling costs by 50%, which can allow homeowners to save significantly, sometimes up to $300 per year.

Keep House Cool by Opening the Windows at Nighttime

The summer heat can be unbearable, especially if you don’t have air conditioning. One way to help keep your home cool is by opening the windows and doors in the morning and at night. This will help to circulate the air and cool down the room. Additionally, it is a good idea to open up any blinds or curtains to let in as much light and air as possible. You should also close them during the day to help keep the heat out. By following these simple tips, you can help to keep your home cool and comfortable all summer long.

Don’t Use Your AC On Full Blast

Intense heat can lead to feeling sweaty, grouchy, and just plain miserable, as it’s hard to enjoy the warmer weather when you feel as though you’re melting, and we also are currently experiencing record highs all over the country. Because of this, it’s tempting to want to blast your AC on as low a setting as possible, but doing this will lead to more energy being used and a much higher bill.

According to the Department of Energy, you can save as much as 10% on your cooling costs by keeping your AC at 78 degrees (going below this can cause a big spike in your energy usage)  when you are awake and at home and raising the temperature slightly higher when you are out of the house or asleep.

Keep Your AC in Good Condition

As the weather starts to warm up, you’ll be turning on your air conditioner more and more. Saving money with your AC isn’t just about what temperature you keep it set on. It’s also about how well you take care of your unit. If your unit has a dirty filter, your air conditioning system will have to work harder, meaning it will take more energy to cool down your home.

keep ac in good condition

The best way to keep your air conditioning system in healthy shape is to follow the manufacturer’s manual thoroughly and to check your filter on a regular basis.

Keep your AC in good condition by following these tips:

-Check the filters monthly and replace them as needed.

-Clean the coils and fins annually.

-Keep the area around your AC unit free of debris.

-Schedule annual maintenance with a qualified technician.

By taking these steps, you can be sure that your air conditioner will be running smoothly all summer long!

Make Sure Your AC Is Installed Correctly

AC units should be installed in a shady area with good airflow to ensure proper heat dissipation.

When choosing a location for your AC condenser, it is important to consider both shade and airflow. The unit should be placed in a shady area to help keep it cool, and there should be enough space around it for air to circulate freely and carry away heat. If possible, try to position the condenser so that it is not in direct sunlight or near any sources of heat, such as an outdoor grill or furnace. By following these tips, you can help your AC unit work more efficiently and prevent it from overloading your home’s electrical system.

Additionally, make sure that the air conditioner is not obstructed by too many plants or leaves. Similarly, attempt to keep dirt and debris away from the air conditioner’s base. Increasing the effectiveness of your air conditioner might be as simple as moving it to a more convenient spot. Additionally, it will assist you in reducing the cost of your monthly AC expenses.

Use Only Fans When Possible

While fans don’t actually lower the temperature in a room, they can make you feel more comfortable when you position them to circulate air efficiently. On days that aren’t extremely blistering, such as in springtime, you can open your windows and strategically place fans to create a relieving draft instead of turning on your AC. Remember that if you’re using a ceiling fan, it’s important to ensure that it is blowing air downwards (most ceiling fans will allow you to adjust the direction of the air).

Similarly, you can use fans in conjunction with your AC in order to keep cooling costs low. While it may seem counterproductive to use both at once, doing this the right way will actually use less electricity. Because the airflow produced by the fans creates a more comfortable environment, you can adjust the AC temperature to be higher than if you were just using AC alone. Fans use only a tiny fraction of the energy that your AC does, and each time you adjust your AC to run at a higher degree, you’ll be saving on your cooling costs. Always remember to turn off your fans when you’re not home.

Invest in a Thermostat

AC units can be expensive to operate, so it’s important to keep your home cool without overspending. A programmable thermostat can help you do this by automatically adjusting the temperature based on your schedule. how to keep house cool thermostat

The installation of a smart thermostat or an upgrade to the one you currently have will have a considerable influence not only on the level of comfort you experience in your home but also on the amount of money you spend monthly on heating and cooling costs. According to the findings of the United States Department of Energy, the cost of cooling and heating your house accounts for about half of the typical family’s monthly utility costs.

These bills may be reduced with the help of a programmable thermostat, which will turn your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system on when you plan to arrive at home and off when you anticipate not needing climate control inside your house. A smart thermostat does a great deal more than just rely on a standard timetable. You will be able to set more complex schedules for each day of the week, and you will have total control of the HVAC system at all times, even when you are not at your house.

By programming the thermostat to turn off when you’re not home, you can save money on your energy bill. To get started, simply choose a model that fits your AC unit and follow the instructions in the manual. In no time, you’ll be saving money and helping the environment!

Avoid Creating More Heat In Your Home

When you are cooking, a lot of heat may be generated in the kitchen, and it can also stay there for a long time. Cooking during the hours of the day when it is at its coldest is the optimal solution. During heat waves, normal activities such as cooking with the oven/stove or using the dryer can make your home feel muggy and miserable, resulting in your AC having to work harder to keep the environment cool. In order to keep your house at a more comfortable temperature, try to do these activities at the coolest parts of the day, such as early morning or late evening.

Conclusion

In addition to AC maintenance, there are a few other things you can do to keep house cool and comfortable during the summer months. One is to use ceiling fans, which can help circulate air and make a room feel cooler without raising the temperature. Another is to open windows at night to let in cooler air, and close them during the day to keep the heat out. Finally, you can also try using window coverings or reflective film to deflect sunlight and prevent heat from building up in your home. By taking these simple steps described above, you can enjoy a cool, comfortable home all summer long without breaking the bank.

As you can see, there are quite a few easy ways to lower your cooling costs during the warmer seasons. With a little bit of planning and strategy, you can help shape your home’s atmosphere to be refreshing and cool without overdoing it on the energy usage.