During the summer, heat and sunshine can cause your utility bills to skyrocket and lead to wear and tear on your home.

By taking certain precautions, you can minimize the damage and perform necessary repairs before things escalate.

If you want to save money and keep your house in good condition, here are some reasons why your home is hot and how to fix them. They don’t take a lot of time, but they’ll make a world of difference during warm weather.


American Standard air conditioner at blue house
The area around your air conditioner units should always be clean and clear.

1. Have Your Air Conditioner Serviced

According to most air conditioning guides, your unit should be inspected and serviced before the full force of summer arrives.

Your AC system is about to work harder than it does all year, which means that it needs to be in tip-top shape early in the summer. This is especially important if you haven’t had your cooling system looked at in more than six months.

Not only will scheduling an inspection help your house stay cool all summer, but it will also save you money in the long run.

Depending on your HVAC service provider, you may have to pay for the inspection itself and any necessary repairs, but at least you won’t need to call for an emergency fix in the middle of blistering hot July.

The sooner you schedule an inspection, the better.


spray foam insulation
Check your attic’s insulation and make sure it’s still intact. (DepositPhotos)

2. Check on Your Attic and Insulation

If the last time you went up in your attic was to put away your Christmas decorations, it’s probably time to revisit the top of the house and check on its conditions.

Unwanted guests, like mice and rats, often invade attics during spring. You’ll want to clear them out before the attic becomes dangerously hot in the summer.

Rodents may also compromise your insulation. This is a huge problem in the summer when you need the cool air to stay inside and the hot air to stay out.

Examine your insulation to see if it needs to be replaced. Remember — insulation has a greater impact on a home’s energy use and comfort than windows or doors.


Condo, seen from the outside, with a balcony and awnings over three windows
Adding window shades and awnings can help reduce your cooling costs. (©gorinov, Adobe Stock Photos)

3. Update Your Home’s Window Coverings

Although you might want to leave your windows uncovered to appreciate the golden sun of summertime, that’s not a great idea for the sake of your house.

Light from windows can wash out your furniture, heat up your home, and cause you to spend more money on your utility bills. In fact, heat gain through windows can be responsible for up to 30 percent of your residential cooling energy use.

That’s why it is recommended to install powerful window coverings. Solar shades, awnings, curtains and even simple blinds can reduce your home’s heat gain dramatically. Pick something aesthetically appealing that adds to the value of your home.

By keeping your windows covered while you’re at work, you can return to a home that hasn’t overheated, even if you weren’t running the AC.

If you really don’t want to install any coverings, look into window films that will keep out UV rays while still letting in some light.

Whatever you do, avoid leaving your windows open to the light all day, or you may face steeper energy bills.

By following these three tips, you can save money on your utility bills and have confidence in your home’s ability to keep you cool and comfortable throughout hot summer days.


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Danny Lipford

Founder

Danny Lipford is a home improvement expert and television personality who started his remodeling business, Lipford Construction, at the age of 21 in Mobile, Alabama. He gained national recognition as the host of the nationally syndicated television show, Today's Homeowner with Danny Lipford, which started as a small cable show in Mobile. Danny's expertise in home improvement has also led him to be a contributor to popular magazines and websites and the go-to source for advice on everything related to the home. He has made over 200 national television appearances and served as the home improvement expert for CBS's The Early Show and The Weather Channel for over a decade. Danny is also the founder of 3 Echoes Content Studio, TodaysHomeowner.com, and Checking In With Chelsea, a décor and lifestyle blog.

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