Tips to Stay Cool and Save Money This Summer
You may be looking for ways to save extra money this summer, one way to save is to reduce the usage of your central AC unit. Here are some tips to cut back on your energy bill, without raising the temperature of your home.
Add More Insulation- Many homes do not have the proper amount of insulation.While it may not be feasible to address the insulation in the walls without some serious renovation, its typically easy to see if you have enough insulation in your attic, which helps prevent the heat from spreading down throughout your home. Two important things to keep in mind when installing insulation are R-value and ventilation. An insulation's R-value is how well the material insulates and the value needed depends on what region of the country you live in and what part of the house you are insulating. It is also important to install insulation to allow for proper ventilation and not blocking the soffit, ridge, or gable vents so that you don't create moisture problems.
Update Your Windows- The windows in your home account for a large portion of temperature change for your home. If your windows are out dated you may want to consider installing new modern windows that are multi-pane and better insulated. Make sure that your windows are tightly sealed, you can easily seal windows using caulk or weather stripping. You can also install solar screens and window films to block out about half the suns heat. Remember to keep the windows closed when it is hotter outside and open them in the evening when the temperature is cool to control the temperature of your home without using energy.
Use Fans- Fans are a great way to cool down and they do not use up nearly as much energy to power. There are a variety of different types of fans for various purposes - most are very affordable appliances that will help cool your home.
Create Less Heat While Cooking- You can reduce your costs of cooling your home by reducing the amount of heat you put off when cooking. Avoid cooking on the stove-top or oven when it is hot out, consider using smaller appliances such as the microwave, toaster oven, slow cooker, or pressure cooker. Summer is grilling season and this is another great option, but make sure to close doors when coming in and out of your home.
Use the Shower to Cool Down- You can also instantly cool off in your home by taking a cold shower or applying a cold towel or pack directly on your body. If you prefer a hot shower, make sure that you close the door and use the bathroom fan when taking a shower to prevent the steamy hot air from spreading through your home.
Limit Large Appliance Usage- Large appliances such as a dishwasher, washer and dryer can put off extra heat as well. Use these appliances at night to avoid creating extra heat and work for your AC unit. You can also air dry your clothes and dishes to cut down on low heat output and energy usage.
Limit Electricity Usage- Be sure that you turn off computers, TVs, gaming systems and other small appliances. Crack the blinds and use natural light during the day to prevent extra heat output. You may also want to replace any incandescent light bulbs with modern CFL or LED lights that put off less heat and use less electricity.
Following a few of these simple tips will help you keep cool and save money every summer.