Stay Cool and Cut Costs: Expert Home Cooling Tips for Summer

Beat the Heat at Home This Summer Without Breaking the Bank

Scorching temperatures are in the forecast for most of the country this summer, with above-average heat spanning from Florida to the West Coast according to almanac.com. The good news? You can strategically stay comfortable while keeping costs in check with savvy home cooling tips.

This guide shares expert tips we've scoured on the internet on how to stay comfortable at home without breaking the bank. Let's explore some of these expert home cooling tips:

Schedule Annual AC Maintenance

As outdoor temperatures spike, it’s natural to crank up the AC to the max. But before blasting frigid air, prime your unit for peak operation with this preventative home cooling tip: Get annual spring maintenance. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and air conditioning contractors recommend yearly tune-ups to catch issues small before they grow large and improve efficiency over time. Enhanced performance saves money!

Homeadvisor.com recommends setting aside $75-200 for a standard air conditioning tune-up by a service professional. While counterintuitive, something as simple as adjusting the thermostat by a few degrees can greatly lower the amount you spend on cooling costs. 

The rationale comes from the Department of Energy - the smaller the temperature difference between indoors and outside, the less energy is required for home cooling. Test out different thermostat settings to pinpoint a suitable temperature for comfort that also minimizes excess energy usage. 

Most experts suggest keeping your home around 78 degrees when you're there and conscious of the temperature, then raising it to 85 degrees when you'll be gone for 4 hours or more. For every single degree higher, you can expect 1-3% in energy savings. Making those few simple thermostat tweaks truly adds up!

Strategically Adjust the Thermostat

Here's an effective yet simple home cooling tip - adjust your thermostat to be as high as comfortably possible in your home. The Department of Energy confirms that the higher you can stand to set your AC, the lower your annual cooling costs will be. Experiment to settle on your personal optimal temperature without overcooling. Every degree matters!

Employ Fans to Supplement AC

Want to amplify your chilled air without skyrocketing energy use? Try this handy home cooling tip: Use circulating and ceiling fans to your advantage! They significantly boost airflow, explains energy.gov experts. Run fans while raising your thermostat a few degrees for impressive seasonal savings. A small comfort adjustment nets big rewards!

Strategically Landscape for Shade

Properly placed shade sources can make a substantial impact. Here’s an impactful yet budget-friendly landscaping home cooling tips from the pros - mature trees, bushes and vines strategically prevent sunlight from directly hitting your home exterior. This alleviates unnecessary heat absorption, cutting AC runtime drastically. Shaded homes can realize up to 30% drop in cooling costs!

Block Heat with Window Coverings

Here’s an easy yet often overlooked home cooling tip for indoor comfort. Install window films, blackout curtains, and honeycomb shades to reflect incoming sunlight and provide insulation. Combined, these window treatments can reduce up to 95% of incoming infrared rays! Dual-layer coverings prevent heat from entering your cooled home, lowering AC demand.

With scorching summer weather ahead, beat the heat without breaking the bank by getting proactive with these home cooling tips. A little preparation goes a long way!

Stay Cool with Smart Home Cooling Tips!

This summer is slated to be a scorcher across much of the nation. But you can help beat the rising temperatures and utility costs with smart home cooling tips. Get ahead of incoming heat by tuning up your AC unit, harnessing fans, inviting nighttime air in, and blocking sunlight. With some proactive adjustments before the apex of summer, you can stay comfortable without wallet-busting electric bills. Enjoy the sunny season without letting the heat get you or your bank account down! Message me if you want to know more.