8 Ways to Reduce Cooling Costs While Still Staying Comfortable

No sooner is winter and the subsequent high heating bills over than we have to start thinking about cooling costs during the warm, humid summer. Fortunately, there are several ways to reduce cooling costs and still keep your household comfortable. Read on for tips that keep your summer utility bills under control.

How to Lower Summertime Cooling Costs

• Programmable thermostat – Installing a programmable thermostat allows you to set a schedule for raising the thermostat a few degrees this summer when your home’s occupants are away or sleeping. With the schedule set, you won’t have to remember to raise or lower the thermostat.
• Solar gain – Install plastic film over the windows that allows light in and keeps solar heat gain out.
• Ceiling fans – Ceiling fans are an economical way to stir up a breeze in the room and keep occupants comfortable without nudging down the thermostat. Turn them off when you leave the room, however, as they don’t have an impact on the room’s temperature.
• Ductwork – Check the ducts yearly for holes or separated sections. Fix the holes and reattach segments with mastic sealant and metal-backed tape. Insulate ducts if they’re in unconditioned spaces.
• Air seal – Check around windows for cracks and seal them with caulk. Use weatherstripping for gaps and cracks around doors. If you don’t have insulation on your attic floor, have it installed. A barrier on the attic floor will keep heat from the attic from entering the conditioned space, as well as prevent your cool air from leaking into an unconditioned space.
• No cooking indoors – Cook as little as possible indoors. Instead, heat or cook food with the microwave, or use the gas grill outdoors.
• Ventilation – Moisture makes your home feel warmer, so exhaust it outdoors with ventilation in the bathroom or over the range hood.
• Energy Star – The yellow Energy Star label on appliances lets you know the government has tested the appliance and found it efficient. Shop for Energy Star appliances and save on utilities.

At Sobieski Services, Inc., our goal is to help our customers in Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland and New Jersey learn more about energy and home comfort issues – especially HVAC and plumbing issues – so that they can save money and live in healthier, more comfortable homes.

Photo Credit: Patrick Hoesly via Compfight cc