The days might be getting longer and, thankfully, hotter for some of us already, but just because you don’t have to keep your heating on all day anymore doesn’t mean that your energy bills aren’t still a concern. As the cost of living goes up, you need to learn to make the most of your money, even during the height of summer. So, how do you stay comfortable while keeping your costs low?
Embrace Natural Cooling
When you can, instead of turning on your cooling, try opening your windows and doors. This can be especially effective at cooling the home down during the cooler parts of the day, such as in the evening after a sunny day. Opening your windows not only helps to cool the home down without spending energy, but it can also increase the comfort in your home by maintaining clean air quality, as well. Plants can help make the home more comfortable, too, not by cooling it down but by releasing moisture, avoiding the dryness that can make it feel that much hotter.
Use Your Fans More Often
While they do not lower the overall temperature of a room, if you’re simply looking to stay comfortable, then fans can be efficient tools for helping you do that. Whether it’s a ceiling fan, box fan, or standing fan, they are much more energy efficient than turning on your AC, and they circulate the air to create a nice wind-chill effect.
Insulation Is Important In The Summer, Too
Usually, when you think of insulation, you think of its role in keeping the chill out of your home during the winter. However, insulation can play just as important a role in the summer, slowing the transfer of heat into the home from the outdoors, meaning that your AC doesn’t have to work as hard. You can also invest in insulation for your windows, such as heavy curtains or thermal shades, to block solar heat and keep it cooler inside.
Maintain Your Cooling Systems
As is the case with any eclectic appliance, your AC systems need regular maintenance to prevent wear and tear. From dirty filters to clogged ducts, there is a host of issues that can reduce your machine’s efficiency and leave it open to malfunctions, interrupting its purpose entirely. Invest in regular maintenance roughly once a year, preferably toward the start of the warm season, to extend the lifespan of your appliance.
Take Shorter, Cooler Showers
As comforting as a hot shower may be, it can contribute to the heat in the home overall, raising the temperature and making the air more humid. This can make your AC systems work harder to cool the home. Taking shorter showers and keeping the temperature cooler can lessen the demand on your appliances while also helping you save water. Plus, there are few things as refreshing as a cool shower on a hot summer day.
There are plenty of other ways to make sure that you keep your energy bills lower, from switching out to LED lights to making sure that you don’t leave unused appliances plugged in with the power on. However, it’s important to ensure that the comfort and safety of your family come first, so use the tips above with moderation.