5 Simple Ways to Lower Your Summertime Energy Bill
Summer is the season that brings the highest energy bill. It’s no wonder, when you consider how hard your HVAC system has to work to cool your house. Don’t worry: there’s a lot you can do to keep the temperature and your bill down at the same time. Here are 5 simple ways to lower your summertime energy bill.
1. Hang Blackout Curtains
The sun is a great source of heat, even when you’re inside. A window can act as a magnifying glass in the summer, concentrating the heat and raising the temperature in one place. Mini-blinds and traditional curtains are fine for privacy, but they don’t keep the sun from shining into your home. Invest in and hang up blackout curtains to lower your summertime energy bill.
2. Utilize Ceiling Fans
Instead of blasting your central air conditioner and spiking your electric bill, you can utilize the ceiling fans in each room. You might be using them but not to their greatest potential. If your fan blades are facing the wrong direction, you could actually be pushing heat down into your home, causing your air conditioner to work even harder. Make sure your fans are rotating counterclockwise to lower your summertime energy bill.
3. Keep the House Sealed
Summer means a vacation from school for your kids—which also means your kids are going to be running in and out of the house, leaving the front and back doors open. You know to tell them to close the door behind them, but believe it or not, there are other air leaks in your home. The weather-stripping on the exterior doors could loosen. The sealant around your windows could peel away. There could even be cracks in the walls that could be leaking your cool air and raising your electric bill. Seal your house to save money this summer.
4. Help Your AC Work Smarter, Not Harder
At a certain point in the day, you probably get so hot that you make high demands of your thermostat, lowering the temperature so much that your AC unit has to work extra hard to cool your home down from the high temperature it’s currently at. Getting a smart thermostat can efficiently lower your summertime energy bill. You can program the thermostat to cool your home at specific temperatures at certain times, so you’re not having to put your AC under so much pressure.
5. Get Maintenance Services from Crawford
Over time, your HVAC system collects dust and debris. It can also get clogged or even develop refrigerant leaks. That’s why it’s good to schedule annual maintenance with a licensed HVAC professional. Only they will know what to look for and what to fix. Having your HVAC system inspected and maintained can help it run more efficiently. A smooth-running AC is one that doesn’t shoot your energy bill into oblivion. If you’re truly ready to lower your summertime energy bill, call Crawford Services today!
