The temperatures are rising, and that means we’ll soon be deep into another Pittsburgh summer. With some quarantine measures still in place, many of us are still secluded inside our homes. If we’re not careful, staying inside could soon be as uncomfortable as staying outdoors. If you plan on cranking up the air conditioning to keep cool, make sure your home is prepared to keep the cold air in and the hot air out!
Strategies for Keeping Your House Cool
Here’s how you can keep your house comfortable throughout the summer:
1. Start with math. Take note: For every degree you raise your thermostat, you’ll save about 3% on your bill. If your average electricity bill is $115.00, you could cut it down to $111.55 by lowering your internal temperature by only one degree. It’s not an enormous saving, but it makes a difference over time—and it helps you calculate the costs if you like to keep your house in the 60s.
2. Have your A/C serviced. We actually discussed A/C maintenance back in March, but now is your next best bet—especially while many houses haven’t turned on their AC just yet. In a few weeks, technicians will be swamped!
3. Keep your curtains drawn. We all love natural light, but those sunbeams heat your house up during the day. Instead, keep the sunlight out so your A/C unit doesn’t need to work so hard. If natural light is a must, open your blinds when the window isn’t in direct sunlight.
4. Keep your windows and doors closed. We’ve all heard our parents yell, “I’m not paying to cool the outdoors!” (Some of us have even yelled it ourselves!) If necessary, talk to your kids about the importance of keeping doors and windows shut as much as possible. Any outdoor air that gets into the house will make your A/C unit work harder.
5. Check the sealing around your windows and doors. Any cracks or leaks that let the warm air in or cool air out will strain your A/C unit, potentially increasing energy usage and even leading to necessary repairs over time.
6. Cook outdoors. If you have a grill, now’s the time to use it! Cooking in the oven or over the stove raises the temperature inside your home. Grilling, on the other hand, keeps all of that extra heat outside. No grill? Try alternative cooking methods that give off less heat, like crock pots and electric griddles.
7. Use ceiling fans. Yes, you should use ceiling fans and your A/C at the same time. Your ceiling fan is designed to circulate the air, so it will help distribute the cool air around the home.
8. Turn it off at night. If the night temperatures aren’t too hot and humid, let the cool air in and give your A/C unit a break. If you can, crack your windows at the top and bottom. This will let the cool air slip in at the bottom and let the warm air escape from the top.
9. Explore other investments. If you’re open to investing now for long-term savings, consider replacing your windows or improving your insulation. By updating your home, you can keep the cool air inside.
There are plenty of ways to keep your family comfortable without breaking the bank this summer. If things really become unbearable, embrace the heat. Enjoy an ice cream cone or popsicle in the shade, dip your toes in the kiddie pool, or join the kids in a backyard water balloon fight! Finding a way to get through the high temperatures will ensure you have a happy, safe, and fun summer.
Cheers,
Julie & Ted