As any homeowner can attest, summertime energy costs are nothing to sneeze at. In fact, if you’re based in an area that’s known for intense summertime heat, cooling costs are likely to eat up a sizable chunk of your income. Fortunately, making your residence more energy-efficient and cost-effective throughout the summer months is easier than you may think. If a home that’s well-equipped to take on summertime temps is what you’re after, put the following pointers to good use.
Install Dependable Ceiling Fans Throughout Your Home
Every home needs dependable ceiling fans – especially during the sweltering summer months. So, if your current ceiling fans leave a lot to be desired or your residence lacks ceiling fans entirely, now would be the time to get on top of this. High-quality ceiling fans can be used in cooperation with air conditioning or function as independent cooling aids. For instance, by adjusting their blades to spin counterclockwise, you’ll be enabling your fans to generate downward-flowing cool breezes.
You should have no trouble finding ceiling fans that are perfectly suited to your residence. For example, if your home’s ceilings are lower than average, you may benefit from purchasing a hugger ceiling fan.
Upgrade to Energy-Efficient Doors and Windows
Your current doors and/or windows may be among the top contributors to your high cooling costs. Even if they’re kept firmly closed, a significant amount of cool air may be escaping through them. If you’re in the market for cost-effective solutions, weatherstripping and draft blockers are liable to prove very helpful. However, if you’re not opposed to high upfront costs, you may want to consider making the jump to energy-efficient doors and windows. Although they come with higher price tags than standard doors and windows, they can facilitate tremendous long-term savings.
Per their name, energy-efficient doors and windows are designed with energy efficiency in mind. Whereas energy-efficient doors are composed of much thicker materials than traditional doors, energy-efficient windows contain multiple panes, making it very difficult for cool air to escape and warm air to enter your residence.
As an added bonus, energy-efficient doors and windows won’t just save you money in the summer – but year-round. During the chilly fall and winter months, they can effectively seal in warm air while preventing cool air from gaining entrance.
Address Roof Issues
Winter weather can do quite a number on roofing. For example, if you live in an area that receives heavy snowfall, all the pressure and moisture created by such weather is liable to cause warping, holes and other forms of roof damage. With this in mind, take care to have your roof inspected at the end of every winter. This will help ensure that any problems that developed during the winter are caught and remedied before they’re able to become more serious issues. While certain types of damage (like holes) can lead to escaped air, others stand to compromise the overall stability of your roof, thereby placing the safety of everyone in your home at risk. The sooner roofing issues are addressed, the more energy-efficient your home will be heading into the summer.
Upgrade Your Insulation
As touched upon above, a lot of air can escape through an improperly secured roof. This is particularly true of roofs that lack sufficient insulation. So, if your roofing insulation has been through the wringer or is of inferior quality, it’s in your best interest to have it replaced ahead of summer. As is the case with energy-efficient doors and windows, high-quality insulation is best viewed as a long-term investment. While the upfront cost may seem high, the long-term savings such an investment will facilitate should prove well worth the short-term inconvenience. Additionally, unless you have ample experience handling insulation, this task is best left to seasoned professionals.
Many of us are forced to contend with staggeringly high energy costs throughout the summer months. This is particularly true in the case of homeowners who have developed an overreliance on air conditioning – which, while highly effective, can be fairly hard on one’s finances. While AC is an essential cooling aid in many parts of the country, it needn’t be the only tool in your arsenal. So, if energy efficiency and reduced cooling costs are your foremost goals for the summer, simply heed the advice outlined above. Speaking of energy efficient, if you are planning a holiday, here’s a great guide on planning an off grid holiday.
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