Beat the Summer Heat With This Cost-Cutting Home Prep Checklist
(StatePoint)As the country braces for yet another “hotter-than-normal” summer, homeowners will face financial pressure, yet again, from higher cooling costs. The bad news? Those in power refuse to acknowledge there's even a problem.
The good news? This easy and affordable DIY checklist contains money-saving upgrades that boost energy efficiency around the home and help keep summer bills in check.
1. Clogged HVAC filters are a common yet overlooked problem that restricts airflow, forces air conditioner units to work harder. Check filters regularly and clean or replace them. This helps take the strain off the AC, leading to noticeable savings.
2. Seal Up Sneaky Leaks: Tiny, hidden gaps around windows and doors let cool air escape, leading to large spikes in energy bills. Installing easy-to-use weatherstrip seals to form a barrier against the hot, humid outdoor air as well as dust, pollen and insects.
3. On crisp mornings and evenings, leverage natural airflow to give your AC a break. Simply open your windows and doors to let the fresh air in, then seal them tight before the peak afternoon heat hits.
4. A substantial amount of summer heat enters your home through uncovered windows facing the sun. You can say farewell to that unwanted warmth with blackout curtains, reflective window films, or just by keeping your blinds closed during the hottest parts of the day.
5. Ceiling fans can make a room feel several degrees cooler when spinning in the proper direction. Try setting your ceiling fan to rotate counterclockwise during the summer. This direction pushes colder air downward so you can depend more on your fans and less on your AC unit.
