Whenever summer rolls around you know that the weather is about to get hot. However, while the heat in the summer is a given if your home is not ready for it, then things can get uncomfortable fast.
Try out these energy-saving tips that will help you to stay cool and reduce the cost of your electricity bill.
Get a Programmable Thermostat
A programmable thermostat automates the temperature in your home. You can program your thermostat to give you just the right amount of cooling comfort that you need during the warm summer months.
The ability to program your thermostat means that you can regulate when you use a minimum and maximum amount of energy. You should also ensure that your air conditioner, air cooled chillers, fans, and ceiling fans are working properly, this will all work together to reduce energy costs.
Replace Air Filters
Replacing the air filters in your air conditioning system if necessary during the summer months. This is because your HVAC system will get maximum usage.
Bad air filters can prevent you from enjoying quality cooling during the hot summer months. You should check your air filters every thirty days during the summer. If you see that your air filters are deteriorating then go ahead and change them.
Plant Trees and Shrubs
Planting trees and shrubs near windows during the summer months will provide shade for your windows. The less heat that emanates from your windows, the less energy you will have to use to keep your home cool.
Even if the trees you plant now do not come into full bloom until next summer you will have reduced energy costs to look forward to the next time summer rolls around.
If you cant plant trees then the next best thing is to shade your windows by placing awnings and screens over them. The shade that they provide will help to keep your home cooler. This in turn gives your air conditioning system less work.
How is Your Insulation?
The condition of the insulation in your home can greatly impact your energy costs during the summer. You will want to make sure that areas such as your attic are properly insulated. The better the insulation in your home the less work your air conditioning system will have to do.
In particular, you should make sure that your attic is properly insulated.
Keep Your Windows and Doors Closed
Keeping your doors and windows tightly closed while the air conditioning unit is on is one of the best ways to ensure that you do not waste energy when your air conditioner is in use.
If your windows and doors cannot be closed properly, you need to fix the problem. Ensuring that your windows are properly sealed during the summer months is one of the best ways to save energy.
Take the time to check out the strips and caulking around all your doors and windows as well. You should replace any sealings that have become damaged.
Try not to go outside too much when the air conditioning system is on. The more you open and close the door the more you will allow heat inside this means the air conditioning unit will have to work harder.
Your Refrigerator Coils
Refrigerators are high-energy users. They burned even more energy when they are not working correctly. To ensure that you get the best performance from your refrigerator it is good to ensure that you keep your refrigerator coils as clean as possible.
If your refrigerator is old and isn’t an energy-efficient model you should consider replacing it. When you decide to replace a refrigerator you can sell your old one especially if it is still working.
There are many people who will be more than willing to buy it from you. You will at least be able to put some money towards your new energy-efficient refrigerator.
You should also consider replacing any other appliances in your home that are not an energy-efficient model. If you do not feel financially able to buy energy-efficient appliances you can always buy them second-hand.
Often people trade in perfectly good appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers, and freezers. You may be able to get good energy-efficient appliances at a great rate.
Use Ceiling Fans Effectively
Ceiling fans are a great way to cool down a room. A ceiling fan pulls warm air towards the ceiling and then pushes it back down against the walls of the room to create a cooling breeze in the room.
However, in order for this to work, you need to ensure that your ceiling fans spin in a counterclockwise direction. You can buy ceiling fans with or without bulbs. If you do use ceiling fans with bulbs ensure that you use energy-efficient light bulbs in them.
There are also ceiling fans available that use LED lighting to cut your energy costs significantly.
Use Solar Lights
If you must have lights on your patio or your deck during those warm summer nights then it is a good idea to try using decorative solar lights. These lights will create a wonderful ambiance outside when necessary.
If you can afford it you may also want to consider going solar. It will not only help you save on your electrical bill during the warm summer months but you will also save a lot in other seasons as well.
Going solar is not cheap but it is well worth it in the long run as you will be free of traditional electrical cost permanently.
Make Your Home Ready
Making your home ready for the summer is something that you need to do. The more prepared you are the less energy you will use during the summer and that is something that will benefit you in the long run.
With all the summer fun that you can have a little extra money in your pocket from saving on electricity can help you and your family enjoy summer a whole lot more. Just be sure to be consistent with your conservation efforts and you will reap the rewards.
