Are you maximizing your energy savings?
In this post, we are listing an additional five tips (6-10) that can help reduce your home cooling costs.
- Take a cold showerJust like drinking a cold beverage cools your internal body temperature, taking a cold shower will do the same. This may sound obvious, but did you know that cooling your body is just as effective as cooling a room
- Plant shade trees and shrubsSeek help from mother nature by purchasing and strategically planting a few trees and shrubs around your home. This can have a tremendous cooling effect on your home not to mention helping to beautify your home as well as your neighborhood. Living in Central Florida we can plant a wide array of trees around our homes. However, many of them are palm trees and flowering plants which albeit ecstatically pleasing, don’t provide much shade. Click here to view a list of trees that offer great shading opportunities.
Also, place large indoor plants in front of sunny windows during the day. This will add more shade, which will also help reduce your cooling costs. - Install Canopies or awningsAs stated before, shading can make a big impact on cooling your home. Like shade trees, canopies or awnings will reduce the heat that your house absorbs thus reducing your energy bills; while at the same time improving the look and value of your home.
- Add insulationOne of the simplest ways to save money immediately and overtime is by adding insulation to your attic. Look across your uncovered attic floor; if your insulation is level with or below the attic floor joists then you probably need to add more insulation.
The recommended insulation level for most attics is R-38 (or about 12–15 inches, depending on the insulation type). - Seal your air ductsIt’s estimated that most homes are losing about 20% of the cooled air that moves through the duct system due to leaks and poorly sealed connections. The result is higher utility bills and difficulty keeping the house comfortable, no matter how the thermostat is set.
Again, this is a series of tips that we are providing. In Part A we listed 5 tips (1-5) that can help reduce your home cooling costs. They are as follows:
- Open your windows if the temperature is lower outside
- Use fans
- Regulating the thermostat
- Cook cold meals
- Turn off the lights
To read more about the above tips (1-5) click here.
Hopefully, you have found these tips useful for maximizing your energy savings this autumn. If you would like to learn more please contact us at (407) 603-4410.
