Beat the Heatwave: Energy-Efficient Home Improvements for Summer Survival
Wouldn't you love some ideas to help you beat summer's sweltering heat? Even with regular air conditioner service and maintenance, your AC might struggle to keep up. Don't give up and assume you're stuck with the heat. Check out some great home improvement projects that make your house energy efficient and help you stay comfortable on hot, humid days.
Change your windows
Your home might feel too hot because you have old windows. Leaky or drafty windows cause two problems. Not only do they let some of the heat from the outside into your home, but they also help the cool air produced by your air conditioner escape outside. This results in a home that feels too hot and has rising energy bills. With energy-efficient insulated windows, you can reduce heat loss and lower your utility bills.
In addition to preventing cold air loss, modern windows have a special coating that blocks the sun's UV rays.
Install a new thermostat
You can hire a contractor to install a new smart thermostat. Smart thermostats are great because they allow you to set a daily schedule for a week or longer. You can tell it what temperature you want the house to stay at while you're away from home. The thermostat will adjust the temperature as needed. You can even keep the space warmer during the day when your home is empty and have it reduce the temperature right before you return. A bonus is that a smart thermostat uses less power, lowering energy bills.
Add insulation
Summer is a good time to check your home's insulation and add more. Insulation does more than keep the warm air indoors when it’s cold outside. It has the opposite effect during the long summers, trapping the cool air inside and keeping the warm air out. You may need more insulation in your walls as well as your attic. Blown-in insulation is a good choice because it's easy to use. The installer drills a small hole in the wall and uses a machine to fill any voids with the insulation.
Install Ceiling Fans
Installing ceiling fans is a cheap way to beat the heat and reduce your energy bills. Run them counterclockwise to pull the warm air up and make the room feel cooler. Fans, in combination with other home improvement installations such as awnings, will go a long way toward reducing the temperature of your home without causing your energy bills to rise.
Why worry about the heat this summer when these home improvement projects are energy-efficient and keep your house cooler? We can help you find a certified local professional to help. For more tips to enhance summer living, check us out on Facebook.
