If you’re in our neck of the woods, this summer has been SCORCHING.  One after another 100-degree days have had everyone’s air conditioning units running on blast 24-7.  And to be quite honest, we’ve started to resent the mail carrier for bringing our energy bills (it’s getting personal!  HA!) Well, its our job here at Home Remedy to take care of our own so here is a solid list of ideas to help your home be more energy efficient during the summer – to keep you cool even if you can fry an egg on the sidewalk.

Change your ceiling fan rotation.

If you didn’t already know, possibly the easiest way to better cool your home is to change the direction of your ceiling fans in the summertime. You may think that because air is circulating, you are helping your home’s efficiency, but at the end of the day, that isn’t always the case.  Most home ceiling fans have a switch on the side of the motor body that allows you to easily change directions within a few seconds.  Just be careful climbing up to make the switch; its a great time to dust the blades as well. You will see a drastic change in the breeze in your rooms and your energy bill can also go down.

Invest in windows and window coverings.

While this can be a larger undertaking, having new, efficient windows installed can really help with keeping the temperature you want inside.  Windows come in a variety of coating and panes and depending how much sun your house gets and where you live, you can choose accordingly. If all new windows aren’t in the budget for the time being, putting some thought into your window coverings can make an incredible difference on your energy bill as well.  Blackout curtains, light-canceling blinds and more can be more cost-effective and help tremendously. Then save up to replace your windows in a more temperate season.

Manage your thermostat more efficiently.

It is common sense but the smaller the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your overall cooling bill will be. The higher you can set your AC temperature, the better your bill will be. When you leave the house, turn the temperature up as warm as possible without endangering pets. A great idea, if it’s in the budget, is to invest in a programmable thermostat that you can manage with your work schedule and vacation leaves of absence.  Many of these programmable thermostats have the option to manage from a touch of a button on an app from your phone as well.

Keep your AC running efficiently.

Scheduling regular maintenance for your central heating and air is absolutely essential to make sure your unit is running efficiently day in and day out.  Many companies offer a yearly maintenance plan to check up on their warrantied units, but if your home is older, you don’t know who installed your unit in a home your just purchased or you are just generally concerned about your functionality or efficiency, there are plenty of folks who will come out twice a year or quarterly to inspect your unit.  they may clean your cables and pans, add more freon or replace other items that can help your energy bill to go down.

With these tips, while not the end-all, be-all, you may see a dip on your energy bill charges, even if it’s practically too hot to even go outside.  While you’re at it, reach out and check on your elderly neighbors and ensure their fans are switched and see if you can help with their window coverings to ensure they are staying safe as well.  Hep each other out, as the temperatures in Houston don’t seem to be dropping any time soon, and give Home Remedy a call if you have any troubles out there!