The spring season is upon us and many are embracing the warmer weather with open arms! As the season progresses, many of us can expect the temperatures to rise well throughout the summer and that means our air conditioning systems will be working overtime to keep our homes cool. With that in mind, it usually results in high electric bills because we will constantly have the AC running and that can be a major blow to your bank account. While we could certainly just turn off the AC to save money, none of us like being uncomfortable in our own homes. Instead, there are ways you can stay comfortable with the AC on and have a lower electric bill – and all it takes is some home improvement tricks.
1. Insulate Your Walls
If you are living in an older home, even one that’s only a decade old, the wall insulation is probably underperforming. This simply means that the exterior walls are allowing heat from the outdoors to seep into your home. This efficiency problem can be a major contributor of high electric bills during the warmer months because your AC system must work harder to keep your home cool. To counteract this issue, consider re-insulating the wall with a high R-value insulation to keep cool air in and warm air out. Insulation companies in Richmond, VA specialize in improving your homes energy efficiency by spraying in new foam insulation into the walls, which results in a dramatic difference in your electric bill and improves overall home comfort.
2. Close The Curtains
The windows of your home are another major culprit when it comes to your electric bill during the warmer months. When the sun shines down on your home, the heat can easily transfer into your home from the windows and that will consequently warm up the house. Instead, consider hanging thermal-backed curtains on the windows to block out the heat. Additionally, you could install low-e windows that have a film coating which reflects radiant infrared energy that reduces the amount of heat passed through the glass.
3. Upgrade Your HVAC
Last but not least, you could replace your HVAC system with an energy-efficient unit. Many energy-efficient HVAC systems on the market will immediately save you money on electricity because they use much less energy to cool the home.
When the temperature starts to rise, don’t let your electric bill determine your home comfort because the above tips can save you money and improve your homes’ energy efficiency!
Insulation Tips 