How To Cool Your Home More Efficiently

By John Millner

Ahh, summertime! We're now entering the warmest part of the summer season and many of us facing a hard decision: We can stay cool and comfortable in our homes by paying high energy bills due to the cost of running our air conditioners all day long or we can skip the air conditioner and be hot and humid.

If you're struggling with paying your electric bill this summer then don't fret, because there are some things you can do to keep your home cool while still saving money. Here are a few simple ways you can help your air conditioner work less in the middle of the summer.

Install Shades on You Windows: You'll be amazed at how much cooler your house can be with the strategic placement of a few light-blocking shades over your sunniest windows. Sunlight streaming in through your windows can warm your home like an oven. Regular blinds probably aren't enough. You'll want to use a full light-blocking curtain. You can keep your regular decorative curtains in place, just be sure to also use light blocking shades on the same window or doorway. Blocking out that light during the sunniest part of the day can make a dramatic difference in cooling.

Clean your AC Air Filters: Whether you have a central air conditioner or window AC units, you have to clean and eventually replace your air filters from time to time to make sure you have a unblocked flow of cool air. A blocked air filter can prevent air from being blown efficiently by your air conditioner. If your air filter is really dirty it could actually cause your AC blower to break down which could end up being costly to fix. This is probably one of the single most overlooked central air conditioner maintenance tips. You'll want to check your air filters once every other month and follow the manufacturer's recommendations for cleaning and replacing your air filters on a regular schedule.

Make Your Home Airtight: One way to keep your house cool is to make sure you're not losing any cold air from your AC where you shouldn't be. You can check all your windows and doors looking for small openings where cold air could seep out. If you have a central air conditioner then you should inspect as much of the aluminum vent system as you can. Utilize aluminum duct work tape to seal up any small holes or gaps that may be releasing cool air. If you have window AC units you may want to make sure they are held in tightly and have no gaps around the installation hardware. You may also want to close the air vent registers and close the doors in rooms you don't use so that your air conditioner doesn't have to try to cool those rooms too.

All of these energy saving methods will help keep your home interior cool and help your air conditioner keep running efficiently this summer. These are just some of the many do-it-yourself home cooling methods you can use to stay comfortable inside during the heat of the summer months. If you choose to use these home cooling methods together you can really lower your energy bills this summer. - 16931

About the Author:

You can save money by trying your own do it yourself home improvement projects. All you need is an open mind, a few tools and a desire to learn something new!