The summer heat is great when you’re at the beach, but it’s not what you want to come home to – and there aren’t too many summers as hot as the ones we have here in Florida. All of us, no doubt, are reminded that keeping our homes cool in these toasty months can be expensive.
But there are a few things you can do to keep your AC bill down during the summer heat:
Air Conditioner Servicing
One way to keep your air conditioning unit running efficiently is to have it regularly serviced. It not only keeps it clean and well maintained, but it can also identify problems before they get worse and become more expensive.
You can usually book an HVAC service with your local company such as Adams Air Conditioning. They will inspect your air conditioning unit and perform a service so that it remains reliable during the summer.
Turn off what you don’t need.
There are many gadgets in people’s homes now, and on top of increasing your home’s power consumption, most of them give off a tremendous amount of heat. If you want to keep the house cool, try turning off the television, computer, and other electric appliances to lower the radiated heat.
Do the same thing with your lights – turn them off if you are not using them. You won’t just save on power, you’ll give your air conditioning a tiny break from the heat that many of these bulbs continuously produce.
Improve Insulation
You might think that insulation is only there to keep the heat in during the colder months, but it can also help regulate the temperature of your home to keep it cooler in the summer by preventing the outside heat from seeping into your home.
The usual suspects tend to be weather stripping and gaps around doors and windows, as well as exposed portions of the exterior wall (as in around external piping) and any crawlspace or attic your home may have.
Minor issues can frequently be fixed with a little caulk and elbow grease, but homeowners who find that they are losing a lot of insulation through their attics may want to look into insulation and possibly even climate (or at least humidity) control.
Curtains and Fans
Curtains, blinds, and other window treatments are as functional for a Florida home as they are attractive. As the sun moves, use these to your advantage to keep the sun out.
Using a fan can be a good way to get the air moving around the room. This will make your air conditioner keep your home at a consistent temperature, and it will also create a cooling sensation as the air moves over your skin. They may not drastically affect the temperature in your home, but they can make you more comfortable without having to further tax your air conditioner by lowering the thermostat.
Check this link for more ways you can make your home cooler and save energy at the same time.
Article Submitted By Community Writer
