You can expect two things, like clockwork, each summer: climbing temperatures and cooling bills.
There’s nothing you can do about the sun, but you can cut those energy bills with a few simple changes.
Here are 4 tips to make your home summer-ready.
1. Close Your Blinds
It may look beautiful and sunny outside — and too tempting to leave windows covered — but resist! Direct exposure to the sun produces heat gain inside your home, and the need to frequently reach for your thermostat.
If you just can’t resist opening the blinds, apply window film to glass doors and windows. It can help reduce glare, block UV rays, and cut energy costs by reducing solar heat gain.
2. Seal the Envelope
The ‘envelope’ of your home separates the inside, conditioned space from the outside and protects the building from elements like air and water.
It’s important to make sure this barrier has no leaks, so caulk and seal any cracks around your windows, and insulate any doors.
3. Set Your Ceiling Fan
Turn on the ceiling fan to stay cool, and turn up the thermostat to reduce your energy bill.
Remember: counter-clockwise is the direction the blades should turn during the summertime.
And if you’re not in a room, turn off the fan! Remember: Ceiling fans just make you feel cooler; they don’t actually cool a room.
In addition to turning on your ceiling fan, you can also cool your room with the help of a window fan. Make sure to get one from a top window fans company.
4. Maintain Your A/C
Vegetation growing around your air conditioning condenser unit can cause your A/C to work inefficiently. The unit needs to ‘breathe’ for optimal performance, so break out your lawn tools and trim away!
Your household needs to breathe as well, so change your air filter regularly. And avoid the cheap filters — get an electrostatic filter, which just needs to be changed every three months.
Watch the video for more information and exterior maintenance tips!
