| Do you dread summertime because it means turning on the air conditioner which equals an increased energy bill? Join the club. We thought we’d help you out by sharing these tips on how to keep your home cooler so your air conditioner doesn’t have to work quite as hard. | 
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1. CLOSE THE BLINDS. Yes – sunshine is awesome. In fact, the sun is where we get most of our vitamin D which helps us absorb calcium for strong and healthy bones! However, if you need your dose of sun, get outside. Otherwise, pull your shades or close your blinds to block it from entering the house. With the sun comes the heat and nothing works your air conditioner more than that. If you absolutely MUST have sunlight in the house, focus on blocking the windows that face west and south. This is where the majority of the heat will enter, causing your air conditioner to constantly run.
2. REPLACE INCANDESCENT BULBS. Incandescent bulbs are outdated and throw off a lot of heat. Not only will you reduce your energy bill by using LED bulbs, you’ll also cool off the room a bit without using your air conditioner. You might think that one little bulb won’t do much damage but you are wrong. Remember the old trick of increasing the temperature of your thermometer by putting it on a light bulb? It’s because they are hot!! Give your air conditioner a break and turn off the lights or replace the bulbs with LED bulbs. They might be initially more expensive, but you will definitely save money.
3. REVERSE THE CEILING FAN. Though you might think the cool air blowing on you is helping, it’s not. Remember that heat rises. This is why it’s often warmer in the upper level of your home and cooler in the basement. The answer is not run your air conditioner more. By reversing the direction of the fan, you pull the cool air up which forces the hot air down.
4. REDUCE THE HUMIDITY. Do you know why 85 degrees in Florida feels a lot warmer than 85 degrees in Denver, Colorado? In one word, humidity. By reducing the humidity levels in your home your air conditioner will work more efficiently and the house will feel cooler. In fact, you will probably be able to set your air conditioner at a higher temperature because the lower humidity levels make it much more comfortable. The recommended humidity level for your home during the summer is less than 60%.
5. INCREASE INSULATION. We often think of insulation during the winter to keep in the heat but it’s just as important in the summer to block the heat and keep in the cool air. By keeping the hot air out, your air conditioner will not have to work so hard to keep up with a consistent temperature. Consider adding more insulation to your attic space as this will also reduce the heat that enters your home. Many people invest in an attic fan to blow the hot air out of the home. This is a great help to your air conditioner and worth the investment.
Summer is here and is already shaping up to be a hot one. Your family should still be able to enjoy the comforts of using an air conditioner without spending an astronomical amount on your energy bill. Follow these tips to help your air conditioner run more efficiently. Also, schedule a spring tuneup to make sure it is in top shape and won’t require expensive emergency repairs.
2. REPLACE INCANDESCENT BULBS. Incandescent bulbs are outdated and throw off a lot of heat. Not only will you reduce your energy bill by using LED bulbs, you’ll also cool off the room a bit without using your air conditioner. You might think that one little bulb won’t do much damage but you are wrong. Remember the old trick of increasing the temperature of your thermometer by putting it on a light bulb? It’s because they are hot!! Give your air conditioner a break and turn off the lights or replace the bulbs with LED bulbs. They might be initially more expensive, but you will definitely save money.
3. REVERSE THE CEILING FAN. Though you might think the cool air blowing on you is helping, it’s not. Remember that heat rises. This is why it’s often warmer in the upper level of your home and cooler in the basement. The answer is not run your air conditioner more. By reversing the direction of the fan, you pull the cool air up which forces the hot air down.
4. REDUCE THE HUMIDITY. Do you know why 85 degrees in Florida feels a lot warmer than 85 degrees in Denver, Colorado? In one word, humidity. By reducing the humidity levels in your home your air conditioner will work more efficiently and the house will feel cooler. In fact, you will probably be able to set your air conditioner at a higher temperature because the lower humidity levels make it much more comfortable. The recommended humidity level for your home during the summer is less than 60%.
5. INCREASE INSULATION. We often think of insulation during the winter to keep in the heat but it’s just as important in the summer to block the heat and keep in the cool air. By keeping the hot air out, your air conditioner will not have to work so hard to keep up with a consistent temperature. Consider adding more insulation to your attic space as this will also reduce the heat that enters your home. Many people invest in an attic fan to blow the hot air out of the home. This is a great help to your air conditioner and worth the investment.
Summer is here and is already shaping up to be a hot one. Your family should still be able to enjoy the comforts of using an air conditioner without spending an astronomical amount on your energy bill. Follow these tips to help your air conditioner run more efficiently. Also, schedule a spring tuneup to make sure it is in top shape and won’t require expensive emergency repairs.
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