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.

Close blinds
Close window blinds to reduce solar heat inside your home. (DepositPhotos)

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.


Caulk windows
Seal your home’s ‘envelope’ to prevent outdoor elements from entering. (DepositPhotos)

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.


paddle ceiling fan
Turn your thermostat up during the summertime, and turn a paddle ceiling fan on to save money. (DepositPhotos)

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.


Air conditioning unit
The area around your air conditioner units should always be clean and clear to keep it running efficiently.

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!

Editorial Contributors
avatar for Danny Lipford

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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