Keeping your home the perfect temperature can be challenging and costly. When you wish to keep it cool during those hot summer months, it can greatly affect your energy bill, costing a significant amount of money and hurting your budget. However, you don’t need to run your cooling systems nonstop to enjoy the benefits of a cool home. Here are just six ideas you can implement today to improve the temperature of your home and lower your energy costs.
1. Use a Programmable Thermostat
One of the best things you can do to improve your home’s temperature is to install a programmable thermostat. This one item will give you full control over your home’s temperature no matter the time of day and where you are. You can schedule when you want your air conditioning units to kick on and when you’d like them to pause. This means that while at work, you won’t be wasting money and energy unnecessarily to try and cool your home but you can have the system get to work as soon as you come home. This ensures you come home every day to a cool house.
Additionally, a programmable thermostat doesn’t cost a significant amount of money to purchase and install. The installation process is also extremely fast and can be completed in a short period of time.
2. Use Your Curtain Properly
You may not realize it but your curtains play a critical role in the temperature of your home. If you have windows that receive direct UV rays during the morning or evening hours, you may consider keeping the curtains closed. By choosing curtains that repel these harsh rays, you can keep out the sun and prevent your home from becoming too hot. This is also important when opening the window itself. While you may think you are cooling down the home, you are only letting out the cool air from your home. If you choose to open the glass panes, make sure the outside temperature is considerably cooler than indoors.
However, if you are not receiving direct UV rays into your home, you may consider keeping the curtains open. This will help brighten up the home and reduce the need for artificial lighting. By reducing the need to use these lights, you are cutting down energy usage and saving you money each month on your utility bills.
3. Consider Alternative Cooling Methods
While air conditioners can be lifesavers during the hot summer months in California, these are not your only system options. There are many products to help circulate the air in your home and cool it down. For example, you may consider whole house fans for your San Diego home. Attic fans are also options for your San Diego house as they help circulate the air and let hot, stale air escape. They are a simple and energy-efficient way to cool down your home. Plus, you won’t be scared to receive those high energy bills each month.
If you have questions about alternative cooling methods for your home, contact a representative today. He or she can help you determine the best system for your specific home.
4. Cut Down on Appliance Usage
What you do inside your home on a daily basis will play a considerable role in how source hot or cool your home stays. For example, if you decide to cook throughout all the evening hours, you will have a much warmer home to fall asleep in each night. This means during those hot days and when you want to cut down on your cooling bill, you should look through the many activities you have scheduled throughout the day. You may want to avoid the following tasks:
â— Using the oven
◠Using the stovetop—this includes boiling water
â— Taking hot showers or baths. The steam will increase the temperature inside your home.
â— Avoid running the dishwasher, washer, and dryer unless the loads are full
5. Only Focus on Cooling Specific Areas of Your Home
If you want to keep your home cool, it is important that you focus on the areas that you spend the most time in. There is no need for you to cool down your guest room or an unused basement. This will not only cost you more money but it will take longer for you to cool down other areas of your home.
Determine where you wish to cool down first. This could be your main living area, bedrooms, etc. Then, you will need to block off those areas of the home that you do not wish to cool down. You can do this by simply shutting doors and curtains and closing off vents. You will also want to prevent family members from going in and out of these rooms as continually opening and shutting doors will impact your success.
6. Check All Your Seals
It is also wise to do a thorough inspection of all the seals and weather stripping around the windows and exterior doors. When there are leaks, the cool air will quickly escape without your knowledge. And while this may just be a small amount, it can still cause your systems to work harder than is necessary.
Complete an inspection on all exterior doors regularly and check the condition of your weather-stripping. If the condition is poor, replace the item as soon as possible. This is a task that will take very little time. You should also walk around your home’s exterior and look at all seals. If the seals have chips, cracks, holes, etc., make repairs. You may do this task on your own or you may wish to hire a handyman to ensure the task is done correctly.
By implementing the above tips, you will enjoy cooler temperatures without high monthly bills.
Learn more about Attic Fans in San Diego.