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When the mercury rises, your home should be an oasis protecting you against the elements. However, keeping your home cool can cost a substantial amount of money. Heating and cooling account for nearly half of all energy use in most American homes, but you can slash these costs without compromising on comfort. Does it sound too good to be true? You’ll soon see the savings with these money-saving cooling strategies.
Keep the Sun Out with Blockout Shades
Blockout shades can famously help us get the best night’s sleep, but they’re also handy tools for reducing energy use in the homes. Studies show up to 30 percent of unwanted heat enters homes through windows. By keeping 99 percent of light out, they can help keep the rooms in your home much cooler. Blockout shades also reduce the energy lost out of windows by as much as 25 percent. When cool air is kept in, your HVAC doesn’t need to work as hard to maintain a comfortable temperature.
Get Chores Done at Night
At the end of a busy day, chores are probably the last thing you feel like tackling. But getting your chores done at night can be a great money saver.
Windows might be the biggest source of unwanted heat, but appliances aren’t far behind. Dishwashers, clothes dryers, and irons are obvious hotspots, but washing machines, vacuum cleaners, and other appliances also radiate heat which enters the atmosphere and sends your home’s temperature sky-high. Use these devices at night, when the temperature has dropped, and your thermostat won’t need to work so hard.
Appliances aren’t the only things heating up when you’re hard at work. When you’re actively completing chores your body temperature rises, so you often crank the thermostat to cool down. If you complete chores at night you’re likely to feel a lot more comfortable.
Make Meals on Your Grill
Summer is the perfect time for grilling. There’s something special about cooking outdoors in the elements. But this cooking style has more than romance on its side. It’s also a great way to keep your house cool. Ovens heat your home like no other appliance. If you take your meals outside and use your grill instead, your home will stay much cooler. Meats, fish, and vegetables all taste amazing on the grill. Put the lid down and you can even enjoy your favorite roast meals without heating your home.
Clean Your Air Ducts Regularly
Over time the dust and debris from your home settles in your air ducts, making your HVAC system work harder to push air through to cool your home. When your HVAC system works harder, your energy bills climb. Cleaning your air ducts regularly helps your HVAC system run efficiently.
As a general rule, your air ducts need cleaning every three to five years. Pet owners need their ducts cleaned more often as pet fur and dander can clog HVAC systems. Air ducts also need cleaning after construction and remodeling jobs.
Keeping your home cool in warm weather doesn’t need to put a dent in your household budget. Employ smarter cooling strategies and you can reduce your energy bills without compromising on comfort.
