During the hot summer the easiest way to keep cool is by lowering the temperature on your thermostat, but it’s also the most expensive way. This will place extra stress on your air conditioner (A/C) and also raise your energy bills. 

Check your Ductwork.  Make sure you have your ductwork checked for leaks and

to ensure that you have the proper insulation on the ducts.

Then the next alternative is to use these smart tips for staying cool this summer without relying too much on your A/C.

• Increase insulation. You may think that insulation was designed to keep heat in, but it can also do the same with cold air. Have a professional evaluate your home and find out where air is seeping out. The most common places where adding insulation will benefit your home during the summer are the attic and garage areas.

• Seal air leaks. Air leaks around doors, windows and other places around your exterior wall allow warm air in and let cold air out. They are relatively easy to seal with caulking and weatherstripping. You can attempt to find and seal leaks on your own or have a professional perform a blower door test.

• Get rid of inefficiencies. Inefficient appliances produce heat from wasted fuel, which can add up over the course of a summer. Large old appliances like refrigerators or washers should be upgraded to high efficiency models. Similarly, fixtures like incandescent light bulbs generate more heat than compact fluorescents.

• Be aware of sunlight. Sunlight can pass through most windows and heat up your home, especially those windows directly facing east or west. You can block the light with curtains or blinds, or even block it outside with trees and other plants.

• Use ventilation. Smart use of ceiling and room fans will allow you to keep your thermostat a few degrees higher than normal and feel fine. The way that they do this is through the wind-chill effect.

Higher energy bills while staying cool this summer are expected, but you should still do your best to reduce them. If you need professional help with your Peachtree City home’s comfort this summer, contact the HVAC experts at Powers Heating & Air.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Peachtree City, Georgia and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).

Image courtesy of marin / FreeDigitalPhotos.net