Ah, summer. Barbecues, pool parties, no school for the kids, and best of all, warm weather. Those high temperatures make it possible to enjoy all kinds of activities. For those of you not living in an RV, though, they can sure do a number on your electricity bills. If you do not want your family to be miserable, then you need to keep your house at a comfortable temperature. Luckily, you don’t have to blow your summer budget just to keep the sweat at bay. Here are a few ideas for staying cool while saving money.
Fans
Fans are a low-cost, low-energy way to keep your house feeling cool. Strategically placed fans circulate air around rooms in such a way that the thermostat can be raised without the occupants feeling the difference. Ceiling fans and window fans are the most energy-efficient types of fans. Window fans pull air throughout your home, creating refreshing cross-breezes. Ceiling fans require a little more work to install, but they are highly effective. The best types and sizes of fans for your home will depend on the layouts of the rooms you want to cool.
To save money on purchasing fans, check your local big-box stores for sales, coupons, and two-for-one specials. Most stores make these items more affordable at this time of year, so be sure to take advantage of this opportunity.
AC Tune-up
Have you ever tried to turn on your AC on the first hot day of the year, only to hear a lot of weird sounds and feel no cool air? After a long summer of working hard and a long winter of inactivity, there are a lot of reasons why your AC unit might not be ready to face the new season. It is totally worthwhile to have heating and cooling experts come and give your unit a tune-up at the beginning of the summer, or even in the springtime.
Making a small investment in your unit’s function now is worth it for a hassle-free summer. To make your investment even smarter, look for an HVAC service that offers seasonal specials or coupons. You can enjoy the diligence of professional service at a greatly reduced price.
Filters
If you would rather not get a tune-up, you can still cut your air conditioner a break by replacing its filters yourself. An AC with fresh filters uses up to 15% less energy than one with dirty filters. Clean filters can also reduce the number of allergens in your home’s air. It is a good idea to replace or clean your filters about once a month while your unit is in use. High-quality air conditioner filters can be purchased at low prices, but you can get even better bargains by taking advantage of seasonal sales.
Keep Cool and Carry on
To be frugal, you need to attack areas of overspending from multiple angles. Home cooling is a huge source of money loss for many families. When striving to keep your home at a comfortable temperature, your goals should be to both reduce your energy bills and ensure that any purchases you must make are smart ones. So be wise, stay cool, and enjoy the dog days of summer.
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