New England weather is recognized for being all over the place and anything but constant, especially in the summer. The temperature can look consistent but with the added humidity, the weather could feel like it’s ten times hotter than it is. This will tempt homeowners to turn their thermostats down and cool the house. However, the additional cost of cooling your home in the summer can dig into your savings over time. To fix this, here are seven ways to cut costs while still staying cool in the summer.
- Keep Windows Closed & Covered During the Day – If your home has a lot of windows then light and warmth can enter your home easily. This is perfect for the winter but not so much in the summer. During the day, it’s a good idea to block the heat and light by closing and covering your windows. This allows your room to stay dark and cool during the humid, summer months.
- Open Windows at Night – Everyone knows that the temperature drops throughout the night. Knowing this, opening your windows at night to let the cool breeze in your room is a great way to cut costs.
- Use A Ceiling Fan – A ceiling fan is another wonderful alternative to keep your home ventilated and circulated throughout the year. In the summer, set your fan to rotate counter-clockwise as the breeze will make your room feel about eight degrees cooler.
- Don’t Use Heat Generating Appliances – If you want to cut costs and prevent added heat in your home, try not to use your oven, stove or other appliances that will emit heat. If this is something that cannot happen, utilizing the laundry room fan or hood fan of your stove is a good way to cool off the area after using the appliance.
- Use Less A/C – If using the above tips work but you still need to run the A/C daily, try running it only when you’re home as you won’t be wasting energy or money by cooling your home when you are out of the house.
- Use A Smart Thermostat – Most modern heating and cooling units have programmable thermostats, so consider purchasing one if your thermostat is not programmable. These smart thermostats enable the user to remotely increase or decrease the temperature. In addition, these thermostats will learn your habits and adjust your home’s temperature accordingly, such as shutting off during certain hours you are not home. These devices have been known to save homeowners up to 15 percent in annual heating and cooling costs.
- Get An Energy Use Inspection – Whether you are a homeowner or are renting, power companies will come to your home and conduct free energy use inspections. These inspections can tell you where your money is going as well as give you recommendations on ways to cut your bills.