Temperatures are Rising…

…But Your Costs Don’t Have to

Before the temperature places us smack into the heat of summer, there are a few things you can do to ensure your house is ready. While these may be repeat tips for some of you, they are always good reminders:

1. Have your attic and roof inspected to ensure you have proper attic ventilation.  You can take this a step further by installing attic ventilation fans to draw out the heat and reduce your cooling costs.  Or-why not go green and replace your standard roof vents with solar attic fans?  Another installation option is a whole-house fan. It uses the cooler evening air to cool the house and push the warmer air out of the attic.

2. Maintain your air conditioner and evaporative cooler. These units need regular maintenance. If you have a contract with an AC company or have coverage through a home warranty plan, take advantage of the price of a service call to make sure it is in good, working condition. The simplest thing you can do for your AC unit is to change your filter monthly.
 
3. Shade your air conditioner unit.  If your outside unit is in the sun, consider planting a shade tree nearby to provide shade for the unit, helping it to run more efficiently.
 
4. Inspect your dryer vents.  If clogged, these vents will direct the warm air back into your home, raising the temperature.
 
5. Keep your blinds closed.  Depending on your location, the summer sun can be fierce.  Block it out and keep your house cooler by keeping your blinds and window coverings closed during the day.  This is particularly important for west-facing windows. You might also think of investing in some insulated or room-darkening window coverings.
 
6. Use your fans.  According to Energy Star (a joint government program to help us all save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products & practices), you can reduce your cooling costs by 14% when you raise your thermostat two degrees and turn on your ceiling fans.  In case you’re unsure, proper blade direction is counterclockwise in the summer and clockwise in the winter.
 
7. Inspect your sprinkler heads.  Make sure they are adjusted properly so that you’re not watering your sidewalks, driveways or the street.  You’ll be watering more in the summer, but do so in the mornings, and not during the heat of day.
 
8. Indoor light.  Most of us are already swapping our incandescent bulbs for CFL bulbs due to the kilowatt savings, but CFLs also produce less heat, thereby affecting cooling costs.

No matter how many of these you’re able to manage, you should notice a difference in your home.  Good luck and have a happy summer!