With the summer heat in full force, you want your home to stay cool and comfortable. However, running an air conditioner uses a lot of energy. Here are some tips on how to lower your energy consumption and reduce cooling costs this summer.

Use a Smart Thermostat

A smart thermostat adjusts temperatures automatically so you don’t have to. There’s no need to keep the house cool if no one is at home. Save energy by programming the thermostat to turn the temperature up when everyone is gone for the day. Set the thermostat to begin to cool the house before people come home. With a smart thermostat, you can use your smartphone to change the temperature whenever you want, from wherever you are.

Reduce Cooling Costs with Fans

You don’t have to rely solely on the air conditioner to cool your home in the summer. Use ceiling fans to help family members feel more comfortable. Fans don’t use as much energy as air conditioning and they are especially effective if you only need to cool one room.

At cooler times of the day, like evening and early morning, use window or ceiling fans to circulate the air throughout your home. When fans are used along with the AC, you can even set your thermostat higher since the wind chill effect of fans will help cool the space.

Insulate Your Home

Keep cool air inside and warm air outside by insulating your home properly. Call a professional to make sure you have plenty of insulation in the walls. Over time, insulation can shift or become damp and lose its effectiveness. If you struggle to maintain a comfortable temperature in your home, replacing or upgrading the insulation is a smart step to take.

Set the Thermostat Higher

You may set your thermostat at a certain temperature and leave it for the season. However, one or two degrees makes a big difference in your power bill. Turning it up by a couple of degrees in the summer will still keep you comfortable while saving energy.

HVAC Maintenance Helps Reduce Cooling Costs

Save energy at home by keeping your HVAC unit in good condition. Clean or replace the filter regularly and have annual maintenance performed to keep it running smoothly. Schedule maintenance in the Spring before you’ll be relying on the system to cool your home.

Elite Inspections provides home inspection services to Dayton, Ohio, and the surrounding communities. Contact us to schedule an inspection.