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It’s the end of Summer and there is nothing nicer than coming home to a cool house. This is especially true if you are hoping to avoid blasting the air conditioner all season. Cooling your house exclusively with your air conditioner can not only quickly become costly but can come with a heavy carbon footprint. Here are a few tips to keep your house cooler and minimize your electric bill all Summer long.
Keep the Blinds Shut and the Curtains drawn
Any windows which are in direct sun collect solar heat. Keeping your shades drawn when the sun is shining on your windows can prevent your home from heating up. For any rooms on the lower floors, you can turn your blinds upwards so the rays from the sun don’t sneak in and increase the interior heat.
Install Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans move air through a room, not only making it feel cooler by moving hot air away and cooler air upwards. By setting your ceiling fan to spin counterclockwise when it is warm, you can draw cool air which usually rests below upwards. Ceiling fans are a great supplement for cooling your house and giving your energy bill a break. Another helpful tip is to run your bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans when it’s warm to expel rising warm air out of your home.
Heat Reducing Window Films
It is estimated that 30 percent of ambient heat comes in through the windows. Instead of boarding up the windows, try installing a heat reducing film over them. This protective layer reflects the sun away from your windows while still giving you a view. These films miraculously also insulate, so you can keep cool air inside. Even better, It’s a quick and easy install!
A Programmable Thermostat
It is a waste to keep your house cool all day if no one is home. A programmable thermostat can lower the temperature a few degrees right before you come home, so the temperature is perfect for you after a long day out. This is a great solution for a busy family with a regular schedule, who doesn’t want to throw away money and energy, cooling an empty house during the day.
Give Your Ducts a Boost
A plug-in duct booster fan draws more cool air into a room that is too warm. This is particularly useful for the vents at the end of the system. These are easy to install and will keep that room that always feels unevenly warm, just a little cooler.
Use Portable A/C
If you find yourself in only one or two rooms of your home most of the day, consider investing in a portable A/C unit. You can make sure to keep cool without having to heat every room in the house.
Plant Foliage
Planting trees and foliage today is an investment in the future. While it may take a few years for your plants to branch out and become established, shade trees shield from solar collection on your roof and block direct sun from your windows.
Open Windows at Night
When the temperature finally drops at night, take advantage of the cool evening breeze. Open your windows at night to create cross-breeze. The cooler air will circulate all night, releasing any stored heat from the day and allowing the outside cool air to help your family sleep soundly. In the morning, start out with a nice cool home.
Cook Outside
The oven and the stove will increase the temperature inside your house. You’ll spend energy heating up the oven while the thermostat will fight to keep it cool. When you can choose meals with limited heating. If you are craving warm food, and you can stand the weather, consider using the grill outside instead. Food tastes best cooked under an open flame!
Keep Interior Doors Open
Keep the doors in your home open. Open doors allow air to circulate freely, releasing hot spots in your home and regulating the temperature.
Invest in Sunscreens
Sunscreens can be installed over your patio or over your windows and help reduce cooling costs by up to 30 percent. They can also lower the temperature in your home by 15 degrees Fahrenheit. The beauty of our sunscreens is that their benefits last all year long. They also help buffer the cold in winter to reduce your heating bills! To find out more about the benefits of sunscreen contact us today!