The temperature may rise outside, but that doesn’t mean your energy bill has to go through the roof. The following are some easy steps you can take to keep your electric bill from burning a hole in your wallet during the summer months.
Keep the Blinds & Curtains Drawn
Keeping the blinds drawn during the day helps reduce the rate of solar heat gain. This is a simple and easy thing you can do to keep the air cool within your home. It is also a good idea to install light-colored window treatments as these will reflect rather than absorb the sun’s rays.
Seal the Leaks
Cool air can leak through cracks around the windowsill, around door jams, and through breaks in siding and masonry. Inspect your home for air leaks early in the summer and seal those that you find with caulk and appropriate sealants.
Keep the Heat Down
Avoid cooking, running the dishwasher, or using the washer/dryer during the daytime hours. Wait to do these chores until the evening when it’s cooler outside and you can open the doors/windows to let the heat out and keep it from accumulating within the home.
Install Ceiling Fans
Installing ceiling fans in your bedrooms, living rooms, etc. can help circulate the air and create a uniform atmosphere within the home. This makes the home feel cooler while reducing the amount of warm air that your air conditioning unit needs to cool.
Clean & Service Your Air Conditioner
You should thoroughly clean the area around your air conditioning unit and you should have the unit serviced by a certified technician prior to the summer season. This will help ensure that coolant leaks and other damage don’t eat away at the efficiency of the unit throughout the season.
Turn the Air Conditioner Off at Night
Turn your air conditioner down when the sun goes down and when you plan to be out for the evening. Depending on the ambient temperature outside, your home will stay cool through the morning hours. Moreover, you should always turn your AC off when you plan to leave town for vacation.
Install a Smart Thermostat
Smart thermostats give you greater control over your home’s energy consumption. Via your Wi-Fi connection, you can adjust the temperature within your home from anywhere in the world. This makes it easy for you to turn the AC down when summer storms blow through or on those days when the temperature outside is well below the forecast.
Open Windows at Night
Opening the windows at night bleeds hot air from within the home and replaces it with cooler air from outside. This also helps refresh the air inside your home, which will help you get a more restful night’s sleep.
Place Plenty of Plants
Houseplants help absorb warm air and maintain humidity within the home. Rubber plants, ficus trees, aloe vera, Boston ferns, and snake plants are staunch protectors of your comfort during the hot summer months.
For more about keeping your home cool and comfortable during the summer months, contact Monroe Mechanical at (925) 248-4552 . Our technicians will tell you more about our heating and cooling services and the steps we take to keep Californian homes comfortable throughout the year.
