Ah, summer. Don’t we all love the longer days (the better for working on our DIY projects), warm evenings, and long holiday weekends to spend with friends? What’s not so cool are the astronomical energy bills that accompany hot weather. If you’re over spending a fortune in the name of basic comfort, here’s good news: you can make saving money a breeze by introducing a few simple improvements to your home.
Scary fact: the energy needed to run air conditioners costs American consumers
more than $11 billion a year. Central
air conditioning does the best job of keeping your home cool during those hot
summer days and doesn't have to break the bank. To cut soaring bills without
sweltering through another season, consider installing or upgrading to an
energy-efficient central cooling system. When browsing, look for an Energy Star
symbol, which denotes energy efficiency.
Though picking out an entire cooling system may seem daunting, you won't necessarily need the biggest and most sophisticated model. Your home's square footage, insulation and climate all play a role in the kind of air conditioner you need.
Individual room air conditioners are an excellent way to keep cool, and they have
come a long way in the past several years. Priced in the $100-and-up range,
window units also come in the energy efficient variety, so again, look for an Energy
Star symbol. Install the unit in a shady place to improve functionality. The
northern and southern sides of your home are preferred to the eastern and
western sides, as direct sunlight will warm the air conditioner and make it
less efficient. Routine maintenance and cleaning is also a must; it will extend
the life of your investment for years. For optimum energy efficiency, make sure
you’re using the right size air
conditioner.
Ceiling fans are a great way of keeping cool, and they now come in a host of
styles to match any decor. From sleek and sophisticated to dolled-up and
theme-based in a variety of colors, ceiling fans can make a great accoutrement
to a room while saving money on energy bills. Choose a brand with multiple
settings for maximum efficiency, and make sure the paddles are big enough to
cool the room. A quick calculation of the room's square footage will take care
of this. Installation is relatively easy, and will only take a few hours. Using a ceiling fan in
conjunction with your air conditioner means the thermostat can be turned down a
few degrees.
Insulation is one of the best and least expensive ways of lowering your bills
during the summer and winter. Many older homes are in need of additional
insulation anyway, so this may be an eventual must-do. Consult your local
hardware store for the type of insulation that’s right for your home and
climate. Ceiling insulation should top 12", and the attic - if you have
one - is the best place to start. (Click here for tips on installing insulation.)
Most heat enters your home through the windows, potentially hiking the
temperature by more than 20 degrees. Clear, heat-reduction windows are
available if you’re feeling ambitious. If not, consider awnings above eastern
and western windows. They can be made to order in any color, size and style and
reused for years. Light-reflecting blinds are also a great way to go. Finally,
the ever-versatile and inexpensive pair of curtains can be hung in multiple
layers to let in or block out as much sun as you fancy. (During the winter
season, you’ll need to think about insulating
your windows.)
Leaky air ducts can waste up to 12% of your home's energy. Besides unusually
high utility bills, signs that your air ducts may need sealing include a
constant need to change
your air filter (more than once a month) and rooms that are either too hot
or too cold. Simple do it yourself repairs include reconnecting loose ducts,
sealing joints and tears with duct tape, and adding insulation wherever
necessary.
If you’re lucky enough to dip into your very own pool this
summer, make sure your money isn't going down the drain. Lower the pool's
temperature to the minimum recommended by the manufacturer, and cover to retain
heat when not in use. (Covering the pool will also reduce debris, evaporation
and chemical loss.) By simply installing a timer to the pool's heater, you can
predetermine heating times and duration. Click here for tips on Pool
Safety or on Deciding
to Install a Pool.
(Jane Tip: Cutting back on pool cleaning time and operating
your filter during non-peak hours can save up to 2% on your bill for the entire
summer. Now you can spend more time lounging in the pool instead of worrying
about how much it costs.)
Since it's summertime, why not get into the garden? Planting trees, shrubs and
other foliage around your home helps to block out the summer sun and winter
wind. A shade tree at the southern part of your home will act as a great
barrier and will look beautiful, too. When deciding on what to plant, take into
consideration the tree's height at maturity, overhanging wires, and plumbing.
Smaller shrubs, vines and evergreen trees can be planted around your home for
additional protection from the elements.
Check with your local utility company for special offers. Making the move
towards an energy efficient home will not only keep you cool this summer and offer
some fun do it yourself jobs, but will also earn you money. Many gas and
electric companies offer rebates of up to $200 or more towards energy-efficient
upgrades such as water heaters, insulation, roofing, and windows. Often these
deals are on a first-come, first-serve basis, and are calculated by the number
of energy efficient measures you take. Financing and assistance programs are
also available to give you a jump start.
You have never had a better excuse to enjoy the summer than this: running
appliances during the middle of the day is more financially straining and
creates unnecessary heat in your home. Delay chores until off-peak hours or
until you have a full dishwasher or load of laundry. Also, turning off lights,
computers and other appliances when not in use can save up to 5% on your
utility bill.
Saving money this summer doesn't have to mean suffering through another heat wave. Simply being mindful of how much energy you're using can equal big savings for the long sizzling days ahead. And what’s cooler than that?
For more step-by-step how-to's and great project ideas, please visit us at www.BeJane.com
