This summer has brought along with it record breaking heat. To make things a little more difficult, the cost to keep your home cool is as high as the temperatures you’re combatting. These two factors bring on a problematic issue on deciding whether to be comfortable in your home, or with the expense that comes from running the AC all day. To help you enjoy the rest of your summer, here are other steps you can take to keep your house feeling good, and keep your wallet happy as well.
Choose light colored blinds
Choosing light colored blinds, instead of darker ones, will help keep your home cool because it will redirect the heat back outside where it belongs. Keeping these blinds closed during the hours where the hot sun is shining will also help. Having the blinds open will generate a sort of greenhouse effect in your home. If you feel that you want to keep blinds or windows open, consider investing in some reflective window film or window liners.
Set up ceiling fans 
When compared to the money you could spend on running your AC over time, ceiling fans are a much less expensive option. These fans will help air flow freely through your house which will keep it cool. Another tip is to make sure the fans are turning counter clockwise in the summer, and clockwise in the winter. A fan turning counter clockwise will circulate air; alternatively a fan turning clockwise will push warm air down. Majority of fans will have a control for this somewhere on the base of it.
Take advantage of any temperature drops
During the evening and night, or if you are fortunate enough to have a day with lower temperatures, open up the windows. This will get rid of any warmer air that has escaped in your home at hotter times. Be sure to close all windows before the temperature rises again.
Keep your insulation up to par
Cool air could be escaping through cracks around any windows and doors so insulating your home properly is key. Find a caulk gun and close up any cracks that may exist throughout the entire structure of the house.
Plant more trees 
Not only will this help keep you cool, but you will also be improving the environment. Trees will cast shadows on your home protecting it from the rays, which will regulate temperature.
Avoid the stove, oven, and incandescent lights
Stove and oven usage will add preventable heat in so it is best to steer clear as much as you can. Try to use any outdoor cooking tools instead, or make meals that do not require the stove or oven. Incandescent lights are bad news for summer because they cause more heat than CFL or LED lights, they also use more energy.
With all of these suggestions, hopefully you can feel good in your home this summer and use your AC less, so you can save some extra cash for more fun activities.
For this and other articles from Lindee Bess, a real estate agent in Northern Utah, please go to www.LindeeBess.com. Lindee is a professional real estate agent working out of her North Ogden Utah office. Lindee Bess and her team of professional agents stand ready to help you whether you are looking to relocate to Utah or you already live in Northern Utah and you’re simply looking to buy or sell your home. The lindee Bess team stands ready to help, please call 801-782-4574.