This summer is shaping up to be one of the hottest on record! With temperatures rising it’s tempting to want to crank the AC. On the other hand you don’t want your electric bill to skyrocket.
Here are a few tips on how to keep your house cool and save energy this summer.
1. Open Your Windows Morning and Night
Opening your windows early in the morning and after the sun goes down at night is a great way to let in some fresh cool air. If your windows are open all day you’ll feel like you’re in an oven but if you’re strategic about your timing you can bring the temp in your house down without having to turn on the AC.
2. Invest in Cool Home Improvements
Choosing energy star appliances and upgrading your insulation is expensive but can have a big impact. Not only can these types of home improvements keep you cooler in the summer, they can also keep you warmer in the winter.
3. Vent Hot Air
Keeping your house cool isn’t just about bringing cold air in, it’s about venting hot air out. Turning on the exhaust fans in your bathrooms and kitchen can help to push some of that hot air out. This does use some electricity but not as much as AC so it’s still an energy saving hack.
4. Change Your Furnace Filters
Changing your furnace filter once every 3 months is always a good idea but it’s easy to forget. A clogged up filter can prevent cool air from circulating properly in your home. This is a low-budget fix and one you should be doing anyways.
5. Keep the Sun Out
We all love natural light but when that means turning your house into a greenhouse it’s literally not cool. Make sure to keep your blinds and curtains closed during the heat of the day to block out the sun and keep the inside of your house shady and cool.
6. Use Fans
This tip isn’t new but it’s worth mentioning again. Fans can have a big impact on the temperature of your home. Consider adding ceiling fans to your home this summer if you don’t already have them. Make sure to set them to their counterclockwise setting to create a cool downward airflow. You can also try putting a bowl of ice in front of a box fan, this actually works!
7. Cook Outside or Not at All
One of the easiest ways to heat up a home is by turning on the stove or the oven. It’s summer so why not fire up the grill instead of the stove? Another option is to try recipes that don’t require you to heat up your kitchen at all. Alternatively use smaller appliances like air fryers that don’t need as much energy or put out as much heat.
8. Close Off Unused Rooms
This might not be a solution you’ve thought of but closing of unused rooms can make a big difference both in the temp of your home and your power bill. If you’re not using the guest room at the moment, close off the vents and shut the door! It’s one less room that needs to be cooled.
9. Take Cold Showers/Baths
Taking a cold bath or shower might not cool your house but it will cool you off, big time! This can be a handy solution if you’re coming in from an outdoor activity like yard work. So before you reach for the thermostat try this tip first.
10. Go Solar
Rising power bills are a real concern for many homeowners especially as summers are getting hotter than ever. Going solar is a great way to cut down on your power bills while also helping to cut down on greenhouse gasses and increasing the value of your home.