Tips to keep your home cool this summer

With summer here I know we all look forward to the BBQ’s, pool days, and getting a nice tan. Me personally I look forward to golf season, gardening, and spending time outside with my dog. Once the sun comes out my wife turns on the A/C and these are some things I check to make sure it is efficient. This will help save some money on your energy bill as well as maintain a cooler home throughout the day and evening.

Close your blinds

Keep your blinds closed during the day. Having the direct sun shining through your window will heat up your house. Block out curtains are best to keep the hot sun out but anything helps.

Adjust ceiling fans

Your ceiling fans may not be helping. Your ceiling fan spins in two directions which you set. Make sure when your fan is on it is pushing the air downward and not pulling upward. This will help in the winter for heating as well going the opposite way.

Open your windows

When it cools down at night don’t be afraid to open the windows and enjoy a fresh cool breeze.

Adjust your thermostat

Even adjusting your thermostat one degree higher can have a huge impact on your energy bill and you may not even notice a difference. You can try a schedule or a smart thermostat to change remotely. This can help you with not spending money to cool when you’re not home. Check out Smart Thermostats

Check your house vents

Since heat tends to rise you may experience an unbalanced temperature in your home. If you don’t have two systems sometimes you can feel a difference in temperature between your main level, upstairs, and even a basement. Since most basements are cool anyways you can consider closing your vents so you don’t cool this area. This can also help create better efficiency throughout your home pushing the cool air upstairs to help cool and balance your home temperature.

Solar Energy

Consider going solar. I think this can be a very nice feature if you plan on living in your home long term. This can be an expensive option for purchasing however in the long run I do believe you will save money over time. This also is a great way to help with the environment.