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As your thermometer inches into the red, you want to be sure your
energy budget stays in the black. These tips will help you keep your home
comfortable all summer without breaking the bank.
- Cold air from your air conditioner leaking
out of your home is a huge energy waste. Check seals around doors and windows
that may have incurred some damage during winter and could leak cold air out and
let hot air in. Consider taking a look at the state of your insulation. Change
the air conditioning unit's filter as well — and change it monthly throughout
the warm months.
- Don't cool unused rooms! If you're not
using the guest bedroom, close the vents and keep the door shut. The flow of
cool air will be stronger to the rooms you actually do use, as well.
- Ceiling fans are a wonderful low-energy
way to cool off. Many models have seasonal settings that allow you to change the
blades' spinning direction to maximize their effectiveness. In summer, the
blades should rotate counterclockwise.
- If you removed any shutters or screens for
the winter, it's time to get those out and put them back up. Check the state of
your blinds as well. They should close tightly so you can block the windows,
minimizing the heat that enters your home. White shades and blinds are the best
choice for blocking the heat. If you're lucky to live in an area where the
temperature drops significantly at night, be sure you open the blinds and
windows before heading to bed.
- Window awnings are a great choice for
beating the heat before it can start turning up the temperature on your windows.
Or you could opt for hanging decorative screens or shades over them.
- Save jobs that generate heat for the
cooler evening hours: Run the dishwasher and clothes dryer overnight. Better
yet, install a drying rack or clothes line in your backyard.
- Lovely landscaping enhances any home, and
adding a few shade trees is a great idea if you're already making some updates
to your yard. Your outdoor air conditioning unit should always be shaded to help
you save energy and improve the unit's efficiency as well. One caveat though:
don't shade the southern side of the home so that the winter sun can provide
free heat!
As the summer heat cranks up, we're all thinking of
ways to keep cool that won't force us to dip into the vacation budget to pay
for. I hope these tips are helpful to you and your family as you prepare to
enjoy the summer season! |
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The Puffer Team, Keller Williams Professionals, 828-771-2300,
www.homefinderasheville.com
