Summer is a fun time. The weather is nice, so naturally, you want to spend time outdoors grilling, entertaining friends, gardening, and enjoying the sunshine. When warm weather arrives, however, people tend to see their monthly bills rise as they consume more energy. To offset the costs of keeping a home in the summertime, here are a few tips you can follow.

Get on the Line

Dryers are one of the most energy-consuming appliances in the home. They use so much energy that they’re often referred to as “vampire appliances”. Don’t let your dryer suck up all your energy this summer. Rather than use your dryer during the warmer summer months, instead opt to hang your clothes out on a clothesline so they can dry naturally. This gives your dryer a break and even calls up a little nostalgia of days before dryers, when people hung all their clothes out to dry.
 

Use Windows Strategically

Summer evenings are often the best time to crack open your windows to let a breeze in your home. It allows the hot stuffy air from the day to air out and cools your home down. You should make plans to save energy this summer by opening windows during times that allow you to take full advantage of natural breezes. If you have screens on your windows, you can leave them open during the night– just don’t forget to close them early in the morning before it warms up and hot air infiltrates your home.

Boycott Your Oven

Using your oven during the summertime can heat up your home pretty quickly. Take advantage of the sunshine to fire up the grill to cook your meals. Not only does it give your oven a break and keeps your home cool, but it also keeps energy costs down and gives you an opportunity to enjoy the act of grilling in the open air.
 

Ready Your AC

If you have an air conditioner in your home, you should have it serviced before you turn it on for the summer. After sitting for months, it may be in need of a tune-up in order to operate at maximum efficiency. Hire an HVAC professional to give your unit a thorough cleaning and inspection. If there are any issues with your unit, take care of them before they become costly repairs. Regularly servicing your AC can prolong its life and keep your overall energy costs down.

Reverse Fans

Many people aren’t aware that their fans can run in two directions. There should be a small switch on the base of your ceiling fan that you can switch to reverse the direction of your fan. This keeps air circulating properly around your home and can help keep the room cool and lessen your dependency on an air conditioner.
 

Program Your Thermostat

If you’re not home during the day, leaving your air conditioner on can be a waste of energy. Rather than run your unit all day, program your thermostat to turn off while you’re gone and flip on when you’re home. If you have a smart thermostat, you can even manage your home’s temperature while you’re on the go, which is a convenient feature if you have an unpredictable schedule or want to monitor your home’s temperature when you’re away.

Seal Cracks

Cracks or gaps in your windows or doors can cause energy loss and make your air conditioner work extra hard to keep your home cool. Take some time to walk around your home and look for any inconsistencies. Seal off any gaps with caulking or weather stripping to maintain your home’s efficiency and prevent insects and other pests from entering your home.
 

When warm weather arrives, however, we tend to see our monthly bills rise as they consume more #energy. To offset the costs of keeping a #home in the summertime, here are a few #energy-saving tips you can follow.Click To Tweet
 
 
If you get your home ready for summer early, you’ll free up more time to enjoy the nice weather while it’s here.
 
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