Cost Effective Ways To Cool Your Denver Home This Summer.
Summer months in the Denver area can be a drain on your budget with the high demand for air conditioning.
Staying comfortable through the summer often comes at a price (after all, air conditioning isn’t cheap). If your energy bills are rising, we have some tips on maximizing comfort in your home.
We have some simple, budget-minded ways to keep your cool. Read on to discover how to stay cool and keep your budget in check this summer!
8 energy saving summer tips for living in Metro Denver:
- Ventilate the attic. When the outside temperature is in the 90s, your attic can easily reach 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Adequately sized vents and/or an attic fan can help keep hot air from building up and sending it on its way.
- Clean your air conditioner. Shut off power to the unit before cleaning it. On the inside, wash or vacuum cleanable filters, and replace disposable ones. On the outside of outside, remove leaves and other debris away from the condensing unit. Hose off any accumulated dirt. It is a good idea to call a professional to inspect your unit early in the summer.
- Install ceiling fans. On moderately warm days, a ceiling fan may be enough to keep you comfortable. On warmer days, you can decrease your air conditioner use by using a fan. Also, switch ceiling fans to counterclockwise rotation. Running a ceiling fan counterclockwise will push air down and create a wind-chill effect from the movement. Doing so will help keep comfort at optimum levels while not having to run the air conditioner as much.
- Add a timer or programmable thermostat on your AC unit. Doing this, you can leave it set at a higher temperature while you’re away, and set it to cool the house down about half an hour before you get home.
- Install awnings. By installing awnings over windows exposed to direct sunlight, you will keep the hot sun from coming into your home. In addition to heating up a room, it can do a number on fading fabrics.
- Update your insulation. The proper insulation will keep cool air in your home and hot air outside where it belongs. You can also add more insulation on top of existing insulation in your attic.
- Keep areas around registers/vents clear. Make sure registers are not blocked by furniture. Without adequate air flow throughout the home, your AC won’t operate properly. Also, take the time to make sure you have a clear space above and around each register or air vent, and clean out and dust and debris.
- When to open your windows and when to leave them closed. Opening your windows is not always the best solution when you’re trying to stay cool. The easiest way to tell if you should open your windows or leave them closed is to see if it’s hotter outside than inside your home. If it’s warmer out, then leave your windows closed. If it’s colder outside, then open them.
5 ways to save money during the summer in Metro Denver:
- Set lamps, TV sets, and other heat-producing devices away from the AC thermostat. Heat from the lamp could cause the thermostat to read higher temperature and keep the air conditioner on more than is needed.
- Avoid unnecessary trips in and out of the house. Heat and humidity come in each time you open the door.
- Keep the sun out of your house. Close blinds, shades or draperies during the hottest part of the day. To provide outside shade, consider planting fast-growing trees and shrubs near your home, but away from power lines.
- Open the windows and doors and let outside air cool your house on moderate days. But, be sure to keep them closed when you’re operating the air conditioner.
- If you’re shopping for a new air conditioner, look for one with the blue Energy Star label. An Energy Star air conditioner will save money in the long run by using less electricity.
