Although many people spend the rest of the year anticipating summer’s return, everyone’s favorite season comes with one major downside – exorbitant cooling costs. As most homeowners will attest, cooling a residence throughout the summer months can place a consistent burden on one’s finances. While air conditioning is nothing short of a modern-day necessity, many of us have a habit of regarding it as the only home cooling tool at our disposal. Fortunately for budget-conscious homeowners, there are a number of cost-effective alternatives to blasting the AC 24/7.
Seal Drafty Doors and Windows
Quite a bit of air is able to escape through most doors and windows, regardless of whether opened or closed. Needless to say, this can prove particularly inconvenient during the summer months, as it facilitates the need for your AC to expend more energy, which can prove conducive to higher utility costs. Drafty doors and windows can also be problematic throughout the winter, as they can result in heightened heating costs.
Anyone interested in nipping this problem in the bud should consider sealing drafty doors and windows. Even if you’re not much of a handyman, there are a number of simple ways to go about this. Weatherstripping, foam tape and door snakes are just a few of the easily affordable tools at your disposal for this endeavor.
Purchase Energy-Efficient Doors and Windows
In the quest to prevent cool air from escaping, energy-efficient doors and windows can prove invaluable. As the name suggests, these doors and windows are designed with energy efficiency and cost-effectiveness in mind. Energy-efficient doors and windows tend to be considerably thicker than standard-grade doors and windows, making them better equipped to prevent outdoor air from entering and indoor air from escaping.
Some people are put off by the upfront costs associated with energy-efficient doors and windows. While it’s true that they come with higher price tags than their standard-grade counterparts, they stand to save you a bundle in utility costs over time. So, while upgrading your doors and windows may cost you a little bit in the short term, making the switch can ultimately prove well worth your initial investment.
As an added bonus, energy-efficient doors and windows can be a boon to your heating costs throughout the winter months. That being the case, they’re best viewed as a year-round investment as opposed to a seasonal one.
Hang Thermal Curtains
If you’re not quite ready to make the switch to energy-efficient windows, consider outfitting your current windows with thermal curtains. Per the name, these curtains are typically composed of thick thermal materials. This can prove useful in two key ways. For starters, their thickness makes them well-equipped to prevent cool air from escaping and warm air from entering your home, which can relieve your air conditioning system of some of its burden. Secondly, thermal curtains are also adept at minimizing the amount of sunlight that’s able to enter your home.
Since the blazingly hot summer can make indoor temps uncomfortably warm, it’s in your best interest to keep interior sunlight to a minimum, especially during the sun’s peak hours. Like energy-efficient doors and windows, thermal curtains also stand to reduce your heating costs during the frosty winter months.
Invest in Reliable Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans can be among your most valuable summertime cooling aids. So, the next time you find yourself in the market for new ceiling fans, make sure to take quality into account. Any fans you invest in should feature a convenient assortment of rotation speeds, be easy to install and come with a comprehensive manufacturer guarantee. To get the most out of your ceiling fans, install at least one fan in every area of your home, as this will enable them to evenly distribute cool air. Furthermore, by setting your fans’ blades to spin counterclockwise, you can create a downward-flowing cool breeze.
It’s no secret that running your AC all summer long can result in exorbitant utility costs. These costs can prove particularly burdensome for people who live in areas that are prone to brutally hot summers. To be clear, air conditioning is a modern-day marvel and an absolute necessity in certain parts of the country. However, this doesn’t mean that it should be used around the clock. So, if you’re someone who doesn’t hesitate to switch on the AC whenever the weather starts to warm up, there are a number of simple and cost-effective measures you may want to consider. Thanks to all the companies linked above.
