The summer heat is here, and we’d be willing to bet your AC unit has been getting quite the workout lately. Constantly running the AC can skyrocket the utility bill if you’re not careful, and spending lots of money just to keep the house cool isn’t how anyone wants to spend their hard-earned money. To keep more cool air in the house and more money in your pocket, use these 4 tips.
Set the Thermostat Correctly
Since there’s probably no one home from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, why waste energy cooling the house during these hours? Most modern thermostats will have the ability to be programmed to save energy during the times you’re not home. Once you figure out the times you’re out of the house, program the thermostat to bump up to a higher temperature.
Landscape to Save
The US Department of Energy has reported that homeowners can save up to 25% on energy costs just by planting trees and shrubs in the right spots. Trees can block out the sun and provide shade for the home. Since shaded areas are typically 10 to 15 degrees cooler than direct sun, planting a tree that shades east and west facing windows can save you some serious green. You might not think planting shrubs around the exterior walls can save money, but shrubs keep the ground around the home cooler, which keeps the house cooler.
Win with Windows
Having lots of windows in a house is great for letting in natural light, but it’s also great for letting out the cold air. While the natural light can save money by keeping light fixtures off, these savings are quickly offset by the cost of escaping energy. To keep the cool air in the house, install energy efficient double pane windows. Having two panes of glass instead of one traps the AC much better.
Insulation is Your Friend
Just like having double pane windows, filling your walls and attics with high-quality insulation will make your HVAC unit run much more efficiently. When you’re shopping for insulation, look for one with a high R-value. This indicates the amount of heat flow the insulation can handle.