A few years ago, we shared some tips on how to save money on heating bills. These tips included things as simple as preventing drafts, or using equipment and software that grant you more control over your heating system. When it comes to cooling your home during the summer though, there are even more ways to reduce your energy consumption and costs. Some o f them might require a bit of patience, research, or in some cases outside assistance –– but they’re definitely worth your time.
Here are a few of the ideas we’re referring to.
Invest in Better Insulation
If you’re conscious of the fact that leaving a door or window open can greatly affect your heating system’s capacity to keep the temperature up at home, consider that cooling systems are even more sensitive. Something as small as a crack on a wall can be enough to reduce efficiency. And if your house is already a few years old, then the chances of finding multiple gaps through which the cold air is escaping are higher. Accordingly, taking the time to redo your insulation from time to time can go a long way toward containing cooling and ultimately saving money and energy during summer seasons for years to come.
Reduce Sunlight
It’s simple, but one big reason why your home feels so hot during the summer is that sunlight is more directly heating the outside (and by extension inside) of the house. This issue can be addressed in a number of ways. A lot of families, for example, consider planting large or dense trees around the house to provide more shade. However, in the short term, it is recommended by energy experts that you close the curtains and blinds in rooms that aren’t being used. This might seem like an unusual approach, but it can make a big difference by blocking direct light and keeping the home from heating up too much.
Find the Right Cooling Options
If your home needs a cooling adjustment, it’s important to take your time to find the right HVAC company and cooling options before summer. This will involve a lot of comparisons of pricing and reviews between different options. You can do this personally through online research, but it’s also a task for which you can turn to any financial and/or home improvement professionals you may have leaned on for other home- or investment-related matters.
First and foremost, it would be wise to turn to a home improvement financing and leasing provider like Microf, who can help you to locate professional contractors in your area. This way you can ensure that you’re aware of all the local options, and you can begin to sift through them to find the best choice for your needs.
In going through the options, it can also be worthwhile to consult with a financial advisor, given that someone in such a role will be up to date on financial trends and will be able to give you expert input on decisions –– including those relating to budgeting, price comparison, real estate costs, and savings. They’ll consider all the angles, helping you to choose from among the local contractors you identify and find one that not only solves cooling issues in the short term, but gets you the most for your money with respect to the long-term maintenance and value of your home.
Make Sure You’re Getting Everything You’re Paying For
Once you have chosen the right service and cooling options, it’s time to get everything installed and configured for your home. In this regard, you should be aware of the duties and responsibilities of an HVAC technician. For example, it’s important to remember that these technicians are not only supposed to perform the installation itself, but should also assist homeowners with troubleshooting and offer technical support. Holding technicians accountable to these aspects of their job will help you to ensure that your cooling system is working efficiently, and that it will be maintained as expected moving forward.
Use Fans In Mild Heat
While plenty of locations endure consistently hot summers, there are typically days now and then on which the heat is milder. On such days, when the temperature is not unbearably high, it is generally a good idea to turn to a simple alternative like an old, reliable fan. Studies have shown that, when properly used, fans can be as effective as a cooling system in keeping your home temperature down. However, it can also strain your system if you’re regularly switching between options. Instead, it’s advised to gradually switch to more fan usage as the summer comes to an end.
Everyone loves the summer. However, in many parts of the country, the high temperatures can make for uncomfortable conditions, even inside the home. As long as you take the time to address your cooling capabilities properly however, you’ll be set up to maintain cool, comfortable temperatures at maximum efficiency and without unnecessary costs.
Article written for the exclusive use of microf.com
By Alicia George
June 23, 2022