Cooling costs account for about half of the money you’ll spend on your energy bills this summer in Hanahan, South Carolina. When you consider that the energy it takes to cool your home for each degree below 78 adds another 4 percent to those monthly bills, keeping the heat out becomes as important as ensuring you maintain your AC system. Read on to learn how to keep the heat out of your home this summer to stay cool.
Invest in Window Treatments That Block Heat
After investing in proper window treatments for your home, follow these tips to block the heat:
- Install white window drapes, shades or blinds to reflect heat.
- Close the curtains on your south- and west-facing windows during the day.
- Apply reflective films on south-facing windows to lessen solar heat gain.
Seal and Insulate Your Home’s Envelope
A property’s envelope is the physical separator between the conditioned and the unconditioned environment, which includes resisting air and heat. When air leaks through that envelope, whether through the outer walls, windows or doors, it wastes energy and increases your utility bills. By sealing the air leaks in your home’s envelope and adding insulation to it, you’ll benefit by lowering energy costs* and:
- Reducing the noise that enters from outside.
- Lessening the amount of pollen, pests and dust that enters your home.
- Improving overall humidity control and comfort.
*BONUS TIP: To save even more on cooling costs, use your ceiling fans strategically this summer.
Avoid Using Appliances During the Daytime
During a hot summer day the last thing you should do is generate more heat inside your home. Instead, wait until the cooler evening and nighttime hours to use these heat-generating appliances:
- Dishwasher.
- Clothes dryer.
- Oven.
Replace All of Your Incandescent Light Bulbs
In addition to using more energy to light your home, incandescent light bulbs also produce more heat than CFLs or LEDs. Replace every light bulb in your home with either type to save money and keep the heat out.
For additional information about how to lower those costly cooling bills this summer, contact Berkeley Heating & Air Conditioning. We’re here to help you maximize cooling efficiency so that you can stay cool and enjoy lower energy costs this summer.
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