Summertime cooling costs are among the most frustrating aspects of homeownership. Depending on the size of your home and the types of summertime temps your locale receives, you may be shelling out a king’s ransom in utility costs throughout the summer months.
Needless to say, this can take money away from more enjoyable summertime pursuits, like family outings and vacations. Fortunately, keeping home cooling costs under control during the summer is much easier than many of us realize. Anyone looking to avoid overwhelming utility costs this summer will be well-served by the following pointers.
Invest in Reliable Ceiling Fans
Every home should be equipped with dependable ceiling fans. The right ceiling fans will be able to effectively and efficiently distribute the cool air from your central AC system throughout your residence, which can help take some of the pressure off your regular aircond services.
The less energy your AC system expends, the lower your utility costs. You can also have your ceiling fans produce cooling breezes of their own by adjusting their blades to rotate counterclockwise.
Furthermore, reliable ceiling fans are affordable on even the tightest of budgets and available in an expansive assortment of sizes and styles. If you live in an older home or rural residence, for example, consider searching for a farmhouse ceiling fan.
You may also want to consider contacting Master Electrical Service – ceiling fan installation in Ogden, UT or similar in your area, for professional help with the installation.
Keep Your Drapery Closed
The sun can serve as a convenient source of natural light in various areas of your home. However, during the summer months, letting a fair amount of sunlight into your home can be a major contributor to uncomfortable warm indoor temps. That being the case, make a point of keeping your blinds, curtains and assorted drapery closed during the sun’s peak hours. You may not be able to take advantage of natural light, but at least you’ll be able to enjoy comfortably cool temperatures.
If your current window coverings are too thin to block out much sunlight, considering investing in blackout drapery. As the name suggests, blackout drapes, curtains and blinds are designed to block out as much sunlight as possible. Considering how early the summertime sun rises, blackout drapery can be a particularly welcome presence in bedrooms during the summer months.
Hang Thermal Curtains
Thermal curtains, which can often double as blackout curtains, can be a boon to your home cooling efforts. Per the name, thermal curtains are composed of thick thermal materials, thus enabling them to seal in cool air and prevent warm air from outside from finding its way into your home. By the same token, thermal curtains can also prove useful during the winter months, when they help keep warm air inside and cold air outside.
As an added bonus, thermal curtains can also help block outside noise. This can be particularly convenient for people who reside in densely-populated areas where copious noise and large amounts of foot traffic are commonplace.
Get Serious About AC Maintenance
The harder your AC has to work, the more money you can expect to spend every month. On the flipside, keeping your central air conditioning system running at peak efficiency can save you money in a variety of areas. For one thing, consistent maintenance serves to prolong the life of the system, thereby ensuring you receive the maximum return on your investment. Secondly, taking care of small, seemingly inconsequential issues in a timely manner helps prevent them from becoming larger, costlier issues down the line.
With this in mind, make a point of having your central AC professionally serviced at least once a year. Furthermore, have any issues you encounter repaired posthaste. While this will entail spending a little bit of money, it’s far better to part with a small amount now than a princely sum in the long run.
Although countless people eagerly anticipate the arrival of summertime, no one relishes having to deal with summer cooling costs. If your preferred approach to home cooling entails running your central AC system around the clock, you can expect to pay a small fortune in utility costs every month. Luckily, keeping cooling costs under control doesn’t have to be a challenge. A little bit of outside-the-box thinking and a willingness to unlearn old behaviors can help you enjoy a cost-effectively cooled residence all summer long.
Related Posts:
