Running the AC day and night can get really expensive when you live in a climate that gets almost stiflingly hot. On average, the cost of AC cooling in America costs around $11 billion and each home releases two tons of carbon dioxide into the air every year. This year, try tweaking a few things to save money and help out Mother Earth.
Plant Some Trees or Shrubs
Putting plants around your house can block the sun, provide shade, and also cool the air. When you’re landscaping this spring, try planting bushes and trees so that they block the sun during the hottest parts of the day. Planting deciduous trees on the west and east sides of your home can save you up to 35% on your cooling bill! East trees will cast shade in the morning sun and west trees block the sun at the hottest part of the afternoon and make the most impact on your utility bill.
Change Your Bulbs
It may seem insignificant bulb to bulb, but when everyone is home and all of the house’s lights are on, quite a bit of heat can be generated from those little lights. Consider switching to energy-efficient fluorescent bulbs or halogen infrareds. Remember that the fluorescent corkscrew bulbs have mercury so consider using another bulb in areas where children may accidentally break them.
Use Some Fans
When the sun goes down, the air outside can become deliciously cool. Utilize this cool air and shut the AC off when the sun disappears. Place some fans in front of the open windows and blow that naturally cool air into your bedrooms to keep you cool while you slumber. Use ceiling fans to keep you cool while you’re in the room (remember, fans cool people, not rooms) and set the thermostat higher because the fans will help cool you down.
Use Dehumidifiers
Have a lot of humidity? You can attest that humid air can make you feel hotter than you really are. When you remove the humidity, it will feel much cooler than it really is. Use a dehumidifier in your house to suck the moisture from the air. This can reduce how much your AC is actually running because you’re not dragged down by the weight of humidity.
Changing a few little routines during your day can go a long way towards saving you money when the heat outside is almost unbearable. Along with regular AC Unit Maintenances via a company like Comfortable Home Systems, get creative to keep you and your family cool and keep you from cringing when you open your utility bill.