Summer is a wonderful time of the year, but with it comes heat and high energy bills. If you’re tired of the steep energy bills during this season, there are ways to save money and still keep your home cool.
5 Practical Ways to Reduce Summer Energy Bills
Here are five practical ways to reduce summer energy bills and keep your home comfortable.
Improve Your Roofing
Roofing plays a crucial role in controlling your home’s temperature. If your roof is old or not well-insulated, it may not prevent hot air from entering your home. As a result, you may need to run your air conditioning for longer periods. For that reason, it’s important to invest in proper roofing. Consider getting your roof inspected by a professional, like those at Williams Home Center, to ensure that it’s in good shape. A good roofing contractor can also recommend ways to improve your roof’s insulation and ventilation, such as installing a radiant barrier or an attic fan, which can reduce temperatures by up to 30 degrees.
Use Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans are an excellent way to keep your home cool without consuming much energy. They can also reduce your dependence on air conditioning, which can help you save money on your energy bill. Here’s how they work: hot air rises, while cool air sinks. By setting your ceiling fan to blow air downward, it helps move cool air throughout your home while pushing hot air away from living areas. This way, your home stays comfortable, and your air conditioning does not have to work as hard.
Install Window Film
Windows can let in a lot of unwanted heat during the summer, which can increase your energy bills. Installing window films can reduce the amount of heat that comes through your windows, which can, in turn, help reduce your cooling costs. Window films are thin, flexible sheets made from materials that help block ultraviolet light and solar heat. They come in various degrees of tint, and some even offer added privacy.
Use a Programmable Thermostat
A programmable thermostat is a smart and convenient way to save money on your energy bills. It’s a device that automatically adjusts the temperature based on your preferences and schedule. By using a programmable thermostat, you can set your air conditioning or heating when you’re not at home, and to come back to the desired temperature when you return, without worrying about making manual adjustments. In this way, you can save up to 10% on your annual energy bills.
Reduce Your Water Heater Temperature
Hot water is necessary, but it can also contribute significantly to your energy bills, especially during the summer. Reducing your water heater’s temperature is a simple and effective way to save on your energy costs. For every 10 degrees that you lower your water heater temperature, you can save up to 5% on your energy bill. A good temperature setting for hot water is between 120 and 130 degrees. It’s also a good idea to insulate your hot water pipes so that they don’t lose heat unnecessarily.
Reducing your energy costs during the summer is possible with the right techniques. From improving your home’s roofing to using a programmable thermostat, there are plenty of ways to keep your home comfortable while keeping costs down. It’s important to remember that even small adjustments can make a big difference, so think about the changes you can implement today to make your summer more affordable.
About the Writer: Lizzie Weakley is a freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio. In her free time, she enjoys the outdoors and walks in the park with her husky, Snowball.
