With the summer months comes some of the hottest weather you never wanted. In an effort to keep your home cool, you'll likely be blasting your air conditioner all summer long.
Unfortunately, those prices can add up. Aside from turning off lights and lamps when you leave the room, people may not know how to save on their energy bills every month. Try out these neat tips to keep your energy bill affordable and your family feeling cool every day.
1. Install a Programmable Thermostat
Programmable thermostats might be more expensive, but they pay for themselves in months. They're different from their counterparts in that they have memory, so you can program your thermostat to stay at different temperatures during different times of the day. It's an easy upgrade from your manual thermostat, and you can save a couple hundred dollars per year just by making the switch.
2. Perform Preventive Maintenance
Preventive maintenance happens when there's nothing inherently wrong with your air conditioning unit. You should have routine maintenance performed on your appliances to ensure they're working correctly and not losing you money. A technician would also be able to tell you if any small issues could grow into major ones.
It's always better to know before the problem escalates so you can save time, frustration, and money by tackling the problem right away.
3. Replace Your Windows
If you can't remember when you first installed your windows, it's time for an upgrade. Installing new windows can save money on your monthly bills, and you can make sure they'll adhere to the design of your home.
Old windows will do you no favors when it comes to temperature regulation. Cracks in the windows might allow hot air in – and it could be dangerous in the winter, too. Make sure to seal any gaps around your windows with caulk or add new weatherstripping.
4. Reverse Your Ceiling Fans
Fans often come with two modes – one for the cooler weather and one for warmer weather. When you change the mode by flipping the switch at the base of the fan, you can feel a difference in the room's temperature.
The warm-weather mode spins in a way that causes it to drag hot air up and distribute it across the ceiling. That way, you don't have to rely so much on your air conditioner to work hard to keep the warm air out of your home. You can just continue to have your fan going.
5. Use Curtains Strategically
The right kind of curtains can help regulate the temperature in your home. Blackout curtains are especially great for warmer seasons, as they can reflect heat from the sun and keep the inside of your home cool. You just don't want them during the winter, as you need every bit of sunlight you can get. Sheer curtains will allow in more light, but they may let in heat, too, meaning you'll be relying more and more on your air conditioner to keep you cool.
6. Upgrade to an Energy-Efficient Model
If you don't know the last time you replaced your air conditioner unit, you may want to consider upgrading to one that you know will be more energy-efficient. Look for an Energy Star-certified air conditioner unit so you can be sure you'll receive the best product while paying the lowest cost possible for an appliance of that quality. Once you upgrade, you won't have to worry about as many things going wrong or having to replace your unit anytime soon.
7. Host Cookouts
Cooking outdoors will keep the heat away from the inside of your home. On particularly hot days, don't break your back over an oven that will only generate more heat in your home and run up your energy bill.
Consider grilling hamburgers outside, where you can invite other friends or family members to partake in a meal with you. That way, you won't have to do much inside the house, and you'll keep your indoors cool and have fun outside without adding to your bills.
Keep Your Home and Energy Bills Cool
Nothing feels better in the summertime than knowing you're taking care of your household while managing your budget effectively. Keeping an eye on some tips to lower your energy consumption can also keep your house feeling cool and fresh all season long.
Remember to service your unit regularly to get the most from its life span – and when it's no longer serving you well, consider replacing it with something even more energy-efficient.
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