While many of us excitedly laud the return of summertime, our feelings regarding home cooling costs are considerably less enthusiastic. Depending on where you’re based, maintaining a comfortably cool home throughout the summer season is likely to cost an arm and a leg. Fortunately, if you’re looking for effective ways to reduce cooling costs without sacrificing comfort, you’re likely to find no shortage of viable options. Anyone looking to avoid placing a strain on their finances this summer would do well to consider the following tips.
Install High-Quality Ceiling Fans
High-quality ceiling fans are an absolute necessity for every household during the summer months. If you’re looking to keep cooling costs in check, there’s no way around investing in dependable ceiling fans and installing them in every area of your residence.
The right fans can aid your cooling efforts in a number of ways. For example, they can work in cooperation with air conditioning by distributing AC-cooled air throughout your entire home. You can also give ceiling fans the ability to produce downward-flowing cool breezes by adjusting their blades to spin counterclockwise. Additionally, if your locale enjoys nighttime cooldowns throughout the summer months, opening a few windows and letting your ceiling fans circulate the naturally cool air can be a boon to overnight comfort.
Regardless of what type of residence you have or how much ceiling space you’re working with, finding fans that suit your unique needs should be a breeze. Since reliable ceiling fans come in a variety of sizes, colors and styles, even the most discerning of shoppers is likely to find something they love. For instance, anyone in the market for a convenient fan that can be controlled through mobile devices should look into purchasing a smart ceiling fan.
Upgrade Your Insulation
A fair amount of indoor air can escape through your roof. This is particularly true in the case of homes with poor or ineffective insulation. So, if the insulation in your roof has seen better days, now might be a good time to consider upgrading. Since dealing with insulation can be dangerous, it’s in your best interest to leave this task in the hands of seasoned pros – who should be able to get rid of your previous insulation and install new insulation in a timely manner.
If you’re put off by the upfront cost of new insulation, it’s important to remember that this represents a long-term investment. So, while you may not be keen on the short-term financial sacrifice, the level of savings you’ll enjoy throughout the year should more than make up for it. Additionally, summer isn’t the only season in which high-quality insulation will prove useful. During the frosty fall and winter months, good insulation will help seal in warm air while minimizing how much cold air finds its way inside.
Inspect Your Roof
Winter weather can cause a lot of damage to roofing, especially in areas that receive a fair amount of snow. The persistent pressure and moisture created by mounds of snow can wear out even the most resilient of roofs over time. With this in mind, make a point of having your roof inspected at the end of each winter. This will ensure that you remain aware of any warping, holes or other types of damage that are plaguing your roof. After all, the more damage your roof incurs, the less equipped it will be to seal in cool air throughout the summer months.
Should you happen upon any noteworthy damage, it’s in your best interest to have them addressed posthaste. The longer roofing damage goes unaddressed, the more long-term problems you’re likely to face. In fact, if certain issues aren’t repaired in a timely manner, the stability of your roof and the safety of everyone who resides in your home are likely to be compromised.
If you live in an area that’s known for hot summers, everyone’s favorite season is likely to be a time of year you associate with financial strain. If air conditioning is the only tool in your home cooling arsenal, there’s little wonder as to why summer is such a costly season for your household. Luckily, a little bit of prep work can go a long way in your efforts to rein in summer cooling costs. So, if reduced energy bills are your goal this summer, take the info outlined above to heart.
