Summertime is here! It’s hot and miserable outside so we naturally want to find someplace cooler to spend our time. We can stay comfortable and cool in our houses but that means paying high electricity bills due to the cost of running our air conditioners all the time.
If you’re struggling with paying your electric bill this summer then don’t fret, because there are some things you can do to keep your home cool while still saving money. Here are a few inexpensive ways you can help keep your home cooler in the middle of the summer.
Blinds on Windows and Doors: Sunlight pouring in through your windows can warm your house like an oven. You’ll be amazed at how much cooler your house can be with the strategic placement of a few light-blocking shades over your sunniest windows. Regular curtains probably aren’t enough. You’ll want to use a full light-blocking curtain. Most light-blocking curtains actually have a specially designed cloth liner built into them. You can keep your regular decorative curtains in place, just be sure to also use light blocking curtains on the same window or doorway. Blocking out that light during the sunniest part of the day can make a dramatic difference in cooling.
Clean your Air Conditioner Filters: Both window AC units and central AC units need to have their air filters regularly replaced. A blocked air filter can stop cool air from being blown efficiently by your air conditioner. You’ll want to check your air filters once every other month and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for cleaning and replacing your air filters regularly. A dirty air filter can even cause your air conditioner to stop working. If your AC has is not working properly, you can also try some other AC repair tricks to get your home cool again.
Make Your Home Airtight: One way to keep your home cooler is to make sure you’re not losing any cool air from your AC where you shouldn’t be. You can check all your windows and doors searching for gaps where cool air could seep out. If you have a central air conditioner then you should check as much of the aluminum vent system as you can. Use aluminum foil tape to seal up any pin holes or gaps that may be releasing cool air. If you have window air conditioning units you may want to make sure they are installed securely and have no gaps around the installation hardware. You may also want to close the air duct registers and close the doors in rooms you don’t use so that your AC doesn’t have to try to cool those rooms too.
All of these energy saving methods will help keep your house interior cooler and help your air conditioner keep running well this summer. These are just some of the many home air cooling methods you can use to stay comfortable inside during the heat of the summer months. Using these energy saving tricks together can really help you save money on your electric bills and keep you comfortable during the summer!
