Lower Your Bills While Keeping Your Cool

As summer settles in, it’s time for Homeowners to get ahead of the season with smart home maintenance. The heat and humidity can sneak up quickly, leading to higher energy bills and unexpected repairs if you're not prepared. A little planning now can go a long way in keeping your home cool, efficient, and stress-free all summer long.

1. Optimize Your Air Conditioning System:

• A clogged or dirty air filter makes your system work harder, using more energy. Replacing your filter every 1-2 months can improve efficiency and reduce your energy bill.
•  Set your thermostat to a temperature that is comfortable but not excessively lower than the outdoor temperature. Extreme differences can lead to higher energy consumption and potentially strain the system. Use a smart thermostat that can  help manage the temperature differential more efficiently by adjusting settings based on your schedule, occupancy, and outdoor weather. Maximize comfort and cut costs—click here to discover smart thermostat tips!

2. Improve Home Insulation:

• Proper insulation and sealing of your home can help reduce the temperature differential between indoor and outdoor environments. Weather stripping helps seal gaps around doors, preventing warm or cool air from escaping and outside air from entering.

3. Enhance Exterior Shade:

• Consider planting trees or adding shading structures to block direct sunlight and reduce cooling costs. You can also use blackout curtains or window films to minimize indoor heat gain—make sure they fully cover your windows for maximum effectiveness.

4. Stay Informed and Utilize Resources:

• Follow weather alerts  and warnings for extreme heat events. 
• Know where to find Emergency Cooling Centers and utilize it during heat waves. 

5. Other Tips:

• Stay healthy in the heat by drinking plenty of water, eating hydrating foods and balanced meals, and protecting yourself from the sun with light clothing, hats, and sunglasses.
  
• Ceiling fans can help circulate air and make it feel cooler. Remember to turn them off when you leave a room.
• Use exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathroom to remove heat and humidity. Consider using natural ventilation in the evenings when temperatures drop.

Your electricity usage depends entirely on how energy-efficient your home is and your daily habits or lifestyle.