The sun is shining, flowers are blooming, and people everywhere are starting to kick on their air conditioning to battle the rising temperatures. Depending on where you live, utility costs can skyrocket during the summer, seriously straining your budget, with this in mind; here are 5 tips for how to save money on utilities in the summer.
1. Use a Programmable Thermostat
Programmable thermostats can cut your energy bills significantly. They allow you to set a specific temperature, ensuring your air conditioning kicks on at the right moment.
More advanced options give you additional control. For example, you can increase the temperature while your home is empty, such as during work or school, automatically. Even a couple of degrees can make a difference. Plus, you can set these models to bring the temperature down right before you get home.
Some even connect to smartphone apps that let you make adjustments on the fly. Then, you can see the internal temperature of your home and make changes whenever the need arises.
2. Don’t Cool Every Room
If you have rooms you don’t regularly use, like a guest bedroom, then forgo cooling it when it’s not occupied. All you need to do is close the vents and use a draft blocker under the door.
Since you aren’t cooling as much square footage, you’ll use less energy, lowering your utility costs.
3. Think Fans and Windows
Fans can circulate the air, helping to keep it cooler. Some ceiling fans even help push colder air down, holding hot air well above your head.
Additionally, turning off the air conditioning and opening windows for airflow once the outside temperature drops can also help you save big.
4. Add Insulation
Homes are not air-tight containers. Little openings can allow hot air to make its way inside, and subpar wall or attic insulations won’t help you maintain a temperate environment.
Explore your house and look for any gaps that may allow air to pass through, such as where plumbing connects to walls. If you haven’t added insulation in your attic, have a professional assess what’s there and see if more may help you lower your utility bills.
5. Have Your AC Inspected
Air conditioners don’t maintain the same level of efficiency without maintenance. Leaks and insufficient freon can keep it from operating smoothly or effectively, which costs you money. Dirty air filters also strain the system, taking more energy to get the job done.
If you haven’t had yours serviced in a while, have a pro come out to take a look.Service providers suggest changing out your air filters at least once per year. If you have a larger home with only one unit, you may need to change out the filter twice.
While some of these tips may cost some money upfront, they’ll generally save you more in the long-run, making them worth the investment.
Do you have any favorite tips on how to save money on utilities in the summer? Tell us about it in the comments below.
Looking for more great tips for homeowners? Give these articles a try:
- 5 Steps to Get Your House Ready to Sell in 30 Days
- How to Plant an Impressive Garden on a Budget
- 5 Tips for Saving Money on Home Maintenance
Tamila McDonald has worked as a Financial Advisor for the military for past 13 years. She has taught Personal Financial classes on every subject from credit, to life insurance, as well as all other aspects of financial management. Mrs. McDonald is an AFCPE Accredited Financial Counselor and has helped her clients to meet their short-term and long-term financial goals.