If you’re living on a budget, you know how difficult it can be once the cold weather comes around; managing the classic air conditioning and heating for your house can cost big money. It can be just as expensive in the summer if you are trying to cool your home. Here’s how to save money while keeping the temperature inside of your home comfortable for your entire family:
1.Landscaping
Did you know that the way that you landscape your yard can help to keep it cool in the summer? Before you plant anything in your yard, pay attention to where the sun hits your house in the middle of the day. This area of your yard should be planted with trees that will grow strong and tall. These trees, once mature, will help to keep the sunlight off of your house, effectively cooling it in the most natural way possible. Just be sure that you don’t plant these trees too closely to your home so that you aren’t dealing with wandering roots ten years from now.
2.Open Windows
Open windows and fans can be an easy, economical way to cool your home in the summer. While you’ll never cool your house down completely, you can get the temperature down to a comfortable level. In the early morning, open your windows and use window fans. Use one fan at one end of the house to pull in the cool air, and use a fan at the opposite house to blow out the air. This will create a flow of cool, morning air through your home. When the sun begins to heat up, close your windows, trapping the cool air inside.
3.Portable Units
If you have an elderly relative or a room that is difficult to heat or cool naturally, look for a portable heating and cooling unit. These units can easily be moved from room to room, giving you extra heating or cooling where you need it the most. Look for a unit that turns off automatically if it is tipped over, has enough power to heat or cool your space properly – as well as food and water (with the Coolers Central products), and doesn’t cost hundreds of dollars to run each month.
4.Programmable Thermostat
In the winter, install a programmable thermostat if you haven’t done so yet. Keep your thermostat set between 63 and 65 degrees at night and between 65 and 70 degrees during the day. If you are the only one living in your house, you can set the temperature slightly lower if you like. With pets or children, these temperatures are the suggested range. A programmable thermostat allows you to set it and forget it; effectively heating your home without you having to lift a finger.
5.Energy Audit
Many utility companies offer free energy audits for their customers. Take advantage of this and sign up for yours today. By having a professional walk through your home and make suggestions for improvement, you can start saving on your utility bills as soon as you follow the professional’s advice. You may need to install new weather-stripping in your windows, fix cracks in your siding, or even repair a door or two. Doing any of these things can help you save on heating and cooling bills by keeping the air inside of your home from leaking out and keeping the air outside of your home where it belongs.
Don’t pay an arm and a leg to heat and cool your home; it’s not necessary. By following the tips above, you can easily save hundreds of dollars a year. Spend some time making a few small improvements and you can keep more money in your pocket the next time you pay your electric and gas bills.
About the Author: Eva Martin is a writer for home improvement blogs. When looking to buy a new air conditioner check out a Soleus air conditioner especially the Soleus LX-140. It is a combination air conditioner and heater, plus it is portable!
