The summer months are here, which means most of the country will be subjected to blistering heatwaves very soon. This can mean a lot of extra money in cooling, but there are ways to lower those costs. Here are a few simple ways to stay cool without spending a lot of money.

Residential Window Tinting

One of the easiest ways to see an immediate reduction in your cooling costs is to use residential window tinting. This is a cost-effective solution that helps to block sunlight from coming into your home and thus reduces heat. Windows tints are subtle in that they still let lots of light through, but they filter out harmful UV rays that can damage skin and provide enough cover to ensure that the sun’s heat won’t drive the temperature up in your home.

Use a Programmable Thermostat

You don’t need to keep the air conditioning running while the house is empty, and a programmable thermostat can help you make sure that doesn’t happen. This kind of thermostat will allow you to reduce the amount of air conditioning you spend while you are at work or otherwise out of the house. You can even program it to start cooling half an hour before you normally come home, allowing you to come back to a refreshingly cool home.

Seal Your Home

Most people know how important it is to seal off windows and other airflow escapes during the winter to keep heat in the house, but not as many people realize how important it is to do the same in the summertime to keep heat out. Any space that is air conditioned is bringing cool air into your home that should not be allowed to escape. Seal off windows and any potential air leaks to make sure that cool air stays where it belongs.

Maintain Your Air Conditioner

Your air conditioner has probably been in storage or unused for months, and just turning it on without giving it the care and treatment it needs is not a good idea. Make sure you clean your air conditioner’s filter at least once a month so it runs at its peak efficiency. Once a year, take the time to do a thorough cleaning of the unit so it doesn’t get clogged up with dust and other debris. The better you maintain your air conditioner, the more effective it will be.

Avoid Using Other Appliances

Air conditioning costs a lot of money, but at least the unit itself cools down your home instead of heating it up. The same can’t be said of your other appliances. Try to avoid leaving lights on and don’t use the stove unless you have to. Go for cooler meals such as salads that don’t require you to fire up the oven or microwave. Every appliance you turn on adds more heat to your home, so make sure you’re only using what you absolutely need to.
These five steps are all simple but effective ways to cool your home. If you do these tasks, you’ll find that your cooling bill will drop noticeably right away.