Sometimes even the smallest home improvements can have a significant impact on the energy efficiency of your home. All of the improvements listed below have the potential to cut cooling costs this summer as the temperatures outside rise.
Home Energy Audit - These valuable audits can evaluate every primary system and component of your home to identify where you’re wasting electricity. It can find things like air leaks and lack of insulation, which cause your air conditioning to have to work harder. Check if your home energy provider will conduct a free home energy audit to save you even more money.
Install a Smart Thermostat - If your current thermostat is manual, you may be spending a lot of time adjusting the temperature to balance comfort and energy efficiency. A smart thermostat allows you to see how much energy you're actively using and use the tools provided to plot out how much more you can save if you adjust the temperature by a few degrees here or there.
HVAC Maintenance - Annual maintenance is essential for keeping your air conditioner running as efficiently as possible this summer. And if it has been more than three months since you changed the filter on your air conditioner, do that now! The dirtier your air filter is the harder the system has to work to keep your home cool.
Install a Ceiling Fan - A ceiling fan can make you feel about six degrees cooler via the wind-chill effect. Running a ceiling fan doesn’t make the air in a room cooler; it only cools the occupants. So, it’s a waste of energy to run the ceiling fan in a room that is not occupied. For ceiling fans to reduce your energy bills, you have to set the thermostat to a higher temperature. During the summer, ceiling fans should rotate counterclockwise to push cool air down to the floor.
Adding Window Treatments - Sunlight streaming in through the windows is beautiful to look at, but it also brings heat into the home. In the heat of summer, closing window shades and blinds can block the heat of the midday sun.
Energy Efficient Windows - Installing high-efficiency windows will reduce your cooling costs and be an excellent way to increase your home’s resale value and build equity.
Furniture Rearranging - If you have furniture blocking your HVAC registers, your system will have to work harder to get your home to the desired temperature. So move your furniture around to provide ample room around all your intake and outtake registers, making sure the airflow is not blocked.
Planting a Shade Tree - Strategically planting shade trees on the east and west sides of your home to block direct sunlight on your roof and windows can reduce energy consumption. Select trees that can be planted within twenty feet of the house and grow at least ten feet taller than the window you want to shade. It might take a while for the tree to grow, depending on which one you pick, but it will be well worth the wait!
If you need extra storage space to work on home improvement projects, 1-800-PACK-RAT has onsite, portable storage solutions that are perfect for the job. Whether you need temporary or long-term storage, 1-800-PACK-RAT has you covered. Give us a call today to see how we can make storage simple for you.