Energy costs are through the roof. No one can deny that. Whether it’s you, your neighbors, your gardener, or your boss at work. So when thinking of ways to ”keep my home cool” doing so reliably and cost-efficiently is likely your top priority. Here are some great tips.
1. Replace Your Windows
The cost of keeping your home cool in the summer can be harsh on your wallet. This is particularly true if you currently have single-pane windows. Considering how much heat seeps through these windows, you’ll likely find yourself running your AC nonstop. According to TrustDALE, drafty windows can, in fact, contribute up to 25% of a home’s wasted energy. This percentage can increase significantly during the hot summer months.
That’s why you should consider replacing your windows with more energy-efficient ones as you try to find ways to ”keep my home cool.” You’ll get to lower your monthly utility bills and enjoy a more comfortable and consistent indoor temperature. The comfort you enjoy indoors during summer is influenced by various factors, including the operation and frame type, Low-E glass, and gas fills.
Modern replacement windows that help improve energy efficiency typically feature panes packed with argon gas. This minimizes heat transfer through the glass, meaning your AC unit won’t have to use more energy than necessary to produce the same results. Windows with a Low-E coating reduce solar transfer further by filtering out the sun’s rays. Your upholstery, draperies, and carpet won’t fade as they’ll always stay protected.
Here’s the thing you need to understand, though. The efficiency boost from your window replacement project will largely depend on the installation job. You may buy the most energy-efficient windows on the market, but if installed incorrectly, they won’t do much to keep your home cool.
If you ask any of your friends or neighbors, that is a waste of money. One of the many issues caused by faulty installation is energy loss from air escaping through the frames, sash, and the point where the sash and sill meet. The surest way to guarantee a proper job the first time and maximize your energy savings is by hiring a professional window installation company.
2. Replace Your Doors
Often, when discussing home renovation initiatives that can reduce heating and cooling costs, most people emphasize the importance of replacing outdated single-pane windows. However, upgrading your home’s exterior doors is another way to save energy. The easiest and least expensive approach to improving your windows is to add weatherstripping.
This accessory comes in various types, including felt, foam tape, and tubular rubber. Each has its benefits and drawbacks; some are more expensive than others. Certain varieties are solely made for swinging doors, while others are for sliding doors, so carefully consider your options.
For a wooden exterior door that’s still structurally sound, investing in a storm door may offer you a solution to ” how to keep my home cool.” This addition serves as an additional door located outside the main door. Storm doors come in a wide range of materials, but they’re often constructed of aluminum and glass. Occasionally, they also include an insect screen so you can remove or open the glass pane and let air flow through.
They increase energy efficiency by preventing drafts and insulating your standard exterior door with an air pocket. However, it’s never a good idea to put a glass storm door right in front of a door that receives over a few hours of direct sunshine daily, according to the US Department of Energy. That’s because these special doors are good at trapping heat that could damage your exterior doors over time.
In some cases, door replacements may be necessary. For example, if the current ones are in a state of disrepair, keeping them will only cause your monthly energy bills to keep rising. Faulty doors can also compromise your home’s safety.
3. Keep Up With Roof Maintenance and Repairs
When thinking of ways to keep my home cool, it’s easy to overlook the importance of a sound roof. However, there’s a strong link between regular roof repair and maintenance and energy savings. Air leaks, which may not seem like a big deal initially, can develop due to a damaged or failing roof.
However, you shouldn’t underestimate the effect these leaks can have. They push your HVAC system to work harder to keep indoor temperatures comfortable. The outcome is a sudden spike in your energy consumption, translating to inflated utility bills. On the other hand, a solid, well-insulated, and maintained roof offers a reliable barrier against the elements. It helps to maintain a consistent indoor climate, which lessens the load on your HVAC system and, as a result, your energy consumption.
Inspections conducted by competent roofers regularly are the cornerstone of roof maintenance. While you may watch for obvious damage from the ground, the pros have everything needed to conduct a comprehensive assessment. Inspections should ideally be done twice a year, during spring and fall. This interval will allow you to determine your roof’s state after the sweltering summer heat and frigid winter temperatures.
Trained professionals can easily spot potential issues during inspections, including damaged flashing, loose or missing shingles, and wear and tear. Early detection facilitates timely fixes, which prevent small problems from turning into huge ones. Ultimately, this works to extend the useful life of the roof. It’s the same with your health. The sooner a doctor gets to the root cause of a developing issue in your body, the better your chances of a full recovery.
4. Stay On Top Of HVAC Maintenance
Your HVAC system is the one feature of your home solely designed to regulate the indoor temperature. For it to do its job effectively during summer’s hot months, you must stay on top of maintenance. Some simple but actionable air conditioner upkeep tips can help you with your efforts to ”keep my home cool.”
Cleaning air filters is one of the simplest yet effective maintenance tasks. If you have a ducted system, having a clean filter is very important for indoor air quality. A filthy filter affects the quality of the recycled indoor air due to the airflow cycle. Blocked filters shorten the lifespan and efficiency of your system by limiting airflow and making the unit work harder. To find out how frequently you should clean or replace your filters (if you use disposable filters), read the filter label or speak with an HVAC specialist.
Clean your indoor HVAC unit routinely as well. In particular, the coil and fan barrel are susceptible to developing layers of dust, grime, filth, and mold. Due to the restricted airflow caused by this accumulation, the system may operate poorly and emit a musty or moldy odor.
Use a cloth, feather duster, or gently moistened washer to regularly clean the indoor unit. Don’t shy away from using an antibacterial solution to sanitize the appliance. However, remember to first spray the cloth and then use it to wipe the unit’s casing. Never spray liquid onto the unit directly.
Another great tip is to schedule annual AC tuneups with professional air conditioning services. A tuneup simply refers to servicing and maintenance. This check keeps your HVAC system functioning at its best, boosts its efficiency to lower utility bills, and prevents system breakdowns, which help increase longevity. During this service, an HVAC expert might find minor flaws that could later become major issues, necessitating costly AC or furnace repair.
5. Invest in Insulation
Insulation, as we’re all aware, aids in keeping our houses warm throughout the winter. However, did you know it also helps keep temperatures cool during summer? Insulation does really provide year-round comfort for you and your family. You won’t need to use the air conditioning (AC) or sit next to a fan to stay comfortable if your home has proper insulation. Your spaces will always be comfortable.
A house’s insulation functions much like a thermos. It helps maintain the desired temperature. Attic insulation helps to lessen heat absorption through the ceiling to living rooms below in the summer. At the same time, in the winter, it minimizes heat loss from interior spaces to keep things cozy.
Your attic is often the first area that comes to mind when you think about insulation, and for a good reason, a lot of heat exchange occurs there. However, you should also insulate your HVAC crawl space, floors, ceilings, and walls to effectively ”keep my home cool.” Regardless of the season, it would help to have insulation solutions for the air gaps throughout your home since heat prefers to occupy cold spaces.
Since every home is unique, you must consider a few things before determining how much insulation is necessary. You could take the DIY approach with a modest insulation project if you’re feeling up to it. Still, you’re advised to consult a professional insulation specialist to determine how much and what kind of insulation you need to ”keep my home cool.”
p>Insulating components like your tankless water heater using thermal insulation covers can also help. These accessories are typically designed for appliances and machines that exceed 100°C while operational. They help to contain the heat (which could be why your home feels way hotter than it actually is) and maintain a touch-safe surface.
6. Install a Programmable Thermostat
No one can deny the sun’s impact on your home’s indoor atmosphere as it travels across the sky. When trying to set the proper temperature, old thermostats will have you relying on guesswork. This can mean making constant thermostat adjustments throughout the day. Just picture how refreshing and relaxing it would be to let a computer handle this tedious task on your behalf.
A programmable thermostat accomplishes just that. It lets you make a detailed timetable for all-day heating and cooling changes. You can select your desired temperatures for the early and late morning, lunch, afternoon, evening, and night. You don’t need to lift a finger; the thermostat will automatically operate according to your settings. In the summer, when the need to ”keep my home cool” is more important than ever, you want to have your thermostat setting as high as possible while still keeping things at a comfortable level.
The aim is to keep the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures minimal, as it will lower your utility bill. While the preferred temperature varies with each person, you’re advised to maintain a minimum average temperature of 78° to maintain a comfortable living environment and regulate indoor humidity, according to Wyckoff Heating & Cooling. Unlike what most people believe, turning on your air conditioner when you come home or detect that it’s warm won’t make your house cooler. Instead, set your thermostat to the desired setting, then wait for your home to gradually cool down.
7. Partner With A Local Electrician
Working with electricians can help you with your efforts to ”keep my home cool” reliably in several ways. Your choice of light bulbs will significantly impact how hot your rooms are. Electricians can help you upgrade your lighting from halogen bulbs to LEDs, as they’re considerably cooler, generate less heat, and use less energy. According to Evergreen Electrical Services, they last 5–10 times longer while using around 75% less energy. It may not seem like much, but the pros swear it’s worth every penny.
Ceiling fans offer a great alternative to air conditioning; they’re eco-friendly and can significantly lower energy costs. A ceiling fan can make a room feel cooler even if it doesn’t necessarily reduce the ambient temperature. Your local electrical contractor can help you replace your ceiling light with a fan, replace an existing one, or install a new one.
Try using your ceiling fan and air conditioner simultaneously to increase the cooling effect in your house. You’ll save money while circulating fresh, cool air in the room. Be sure to turn up the temperature setting on your programmable thermostat.
Doing this allows you to use less energy while enjoying the same comfort as if your air conditioner were in a colder setting. An electrician can also help you detect the need for appliance repairs. For example, they can tell you if your programmable thermostat has issues affecting your HVAC system’s ability to keep your spaces cool.
Regarding electrical issues in your home, never attempt to address them using a DIY approach. Well, unless you’re okay with getting shocked a few times, of which you won’t turn into the ”Flash” if that’s the aim. In fact, you could possibly die in the worst-case scenario, and you won’t be joining the speed force. Put your pride aside and contact your neighborhood electrician.
The rising energy costs can put you in a tough spot. You want relief from the high outdoor temperatures, but when you think about your energy bills at the end of the month, you hesitate to turn on the AC or use it sparingly. Many other homeowners are going through the same; you’re not alone.
The good news is there are ways to ”keep my home cool” reliably. Some may require an initial investment, but they’ll pay off in the long run. Go through this read and try to implement the points that make sense for your home.
