Energy saving strategies can change with the seasons, so it’s important to re-evaluate your home’s energy efficiency throughout the year. Check out this simple guide for tips to boost your home’s energy efficiency during the warmer months.
Maintain Your Cooling System
Keeping up with routine maintenance and cleanings of your air cooling system will help it to work more efficiently. According to the United States Department of Energy, you can lower a cooling system’s energy consumption by a whopping 15% simply by performing routine maintenance and changing air filters consistently. The Government of Canada also recommends proper maintenance of air conditioners to make sure they run as effectively as possible.
Plan to replace or clean air filters on a semi-regular basis, usually every few months. If you have pets, more frequent changes can benefit your system. Besides keeping tabs on air filters, checking to make sure the evaporator coil is working properly before the hottest months is a proactive step you can take. If you don’t have experience with air conditioner maintenance or cleaning, it’s a good idea to hire a professional.
Use Windows to Your Advantage
With air conditioning, it’s easy to just shut up your house and put it on blast to keep your home cool. However, this can result in higher bills and use up a lot of unnecessary energy. Depending on your area, you may be able to use the windows in your home to your advantage to let in a nice breeze and cool down your house without having to use up a bunch of energy with air conditioning or fans.
Windows also serve to let in beautiful natural light. In the spring and summer, light bulbs and lighting fixtures in your home can contribute to your home heating up. Try turning off the lights in your house and allow the spring and summer sunshine to light your home. You may also consider installing additional windows in your home to boost energy efficiency and curb appeal at the same time.
If you find that letting the sunshine in is making your home feel too hot, consider installing window treatments like curtains, blinds, and window films. These will block excess light that can make your home too hot and lead to overusing energy to keep cool. Another option is to replace older windows with energy efficient windows and skylights.
Install Energy Efficient Lighting
Energy-efficient lighting like Light Emitting Diode (LED) or Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) bulbs can transform energy usage in your home. Both LED and CFL lights can last ten times as long as incandescent bulbs and use less than half the energy.
Energy efficient lighting will save on energy from using lights, while also giving off less heat. Less heat means you’ll need less AC or fan usage to cool down, which will cut down on your energy consumption.
Seal Any Leaks or Drafts
Fall and winter usually bring high winds and weather that can result in leaks and drafts around your home. In some regions, drafts might not seem as noticeable during warmer months compared to the colder months, but they can certainly let the hot outside air into your home.
This may cause you to use up more energy to cool down your home than necessary. Making sure all leaks and drafts are sealed up will prevent hot air from getting into your home. This will save you money on cooling costs as well as make your home more energy efficient.
This post is intended for informational purposes only and should not be taken as professional advice. The point of view and opinions expressed in this post are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of Realty Executives International. This post was written for Realty Executives by Elliot Walsh. Elliot is a dual-degree graduate from the University of Rochester with a B.S in Cell Biology and a B.A in English Literature. He is a full-time freelance writer from Boston, specializing in veganism, humor, and health. His articles have appeared in The Rival Rochester and his work experience can be found here: www.linkedin.com/in/ewalsh17.
