During the summertime, keeping a cool home is a demanding task for many families. In more tropical environments, such as Florida, staying comfortable and cool is a must to survive the dreadful heat. Running air conditioning leads to costly electric bills, which can injure your wallet. Below are 10 quick tips for keeping your home cooler, so that you don’t have to run your air conditioning continuously.
1) Changing your air filters on a monthly basis is a no-brainer. It is a good reminder to not forget to keep up on it. Doing so keeps coils clean in the unit and extends its life.
2) The location of televisions and lamps should be kept at a distance from your air conditioning thermostat. Having high heat electronics close by your thermostat will keep your air conditioner running less. Electronics produces heat causing false reads on your thermostat causing your unit to run continuously.
3) By installing ceiling and box fans produces airflow throughout your home. Keeping rooms at a comfortable temperature will reduce the heat index by 1%. It may not seem to make a lot of a big difference, but a little change like this can go a long way.
4) Having your attic insulated is something to look into. Excessive heat is stored in the attic and will keep a home hotter more so than needed. By insulating the attic will reduce the heat inside of your home; keeping it cooler in the summer, and warmer in the winter.
5) Shading the outside of your house with big leafy trees, vines, and shrubs will block the unwanted sun ray from coming through the windows, producing more welcoming and cooler environment.
6) Using fluorescent bulbs instead of incandescent bulbs will use a fifth of the heat and energy.
7) Air drying your clean dishes rather than using the heat dry function on your dishwasher will produce less heat. Just break out the dishtowel and dry your clean dishes old school.
8) Taking a shower instead of taking a bath is recommended. Make sure that you turn the bathroom fan on to keep the humidity out of the bathroom.
9) Lowering the thermostat on your hot water heater to 115 degrees is a minor adjustment that can save big bucks in the long run on your electric bill.
10) Caulking and weather-stripping airtight areas will keep the cool air on the inside instead of leaking it to the outside. Check door-frames and windows, caulk these leaking areas, and replace the weather-stripping.
Using these 10 easy tips can help you reduce the heat in your home and will keep you from running your air conditioner. These cost-effective ideas and will reduce the amount you pay in your monthly electric bills.
What are some of your tips for keeping your home cool?
Donna Foute
Donna Foute is a Lifestyle Editor for Midlife Road Trip. Professionally, she has created content for numerous companies on their websites as well as in print. She has authored several blogs over the years, from writing about the humorous side of parenting, as well as highlighting interesting women from history, including those that are around today. She has worked as a Copywriter and has been a contributing writer for Examiner’s Tampa Bay Parenting.
Personally, she resides in the Tampa Bay area looking after her husband, her two teenage kids, her bull mastiff, and her two very annoyed cats.