If you hail from an area that receives year-round warm weather and/or intensely hot summers, home cooling costs are likely to be a consistent thorn in your side. While relying solely on a good central A/C system may be tempting, it can also be a tremendous drain on your financial resources. Luckily, a few simple design choices are all it takes to reduce your cooling costs by a substantial amount. If a cost-effectively cooled home is what you’re after, take care to consider the following options.
Energy-Efficient Doors and Windows
Most homes lose a considerable amount of cool air through doors and windows. While securely shutting your doors and windows may help reduce the amount of escaped air, this will not stop the problem entirely. Needless to say, cool air escaping means your central air conditioner will need to work harder to maintain a consistent temperature – and the more energy your A/C puts forth, the more you can expect to pay in utility costs.
So, if your home’s doors and windows leave a lot to be desired, it may be time for an upgrade. Investing in energy-efficient doors and windows stands to reduce both your household’s carbon footprint and monthly utility bills. Per the name, these doors and windows are designed to minimize the amount of indoor air that escapes and the amount of outdoor air that enters your residence.
When exploring your options, it’s possible that you may be met with a case of sticker shock. However, when it comes to such investments, it’s important to think long-term. Sure, energy-efficient doors and windows come with higher price tags than standard doors and windows, but they also stand to pay for themselves in the form of reduced utility costs. It should also be noted that energy-efficient doors and windows can serve you well during the winter months, when they’ll effectively keep warm air in and cold air out.
Thermal Curtains
Thermal curtains can also prove helpful to your efforts to seal in cool air. As the name suggests, these curtains are composed of thermal materials, thereby enabling them to minimize how much indoor escapes and how much outdoor air enters your home. Thermal curtains are a budget-friendly alternative to energy-efficient windows, though the latter will ultimately prove more effective. These curtains come in a variety of colors and patterns and shouldn’t cost you more than standard window dressings.
As an added bonus, some varieties of thermal curtain are able to minimize noise from outdoors. So, if you live in an area that receives a lot of foot traffic – or actual traffic – thermal curtains can be a doubly wise investment. Furthermore, people who are only able to sleep comfortably in total darkness will be pleased to learn that some thermal curtains double as blackout curtains.
Heat-Reducing Film
Heat-reducing film is another cost-conscious alternative to energy-efficient windows. This film is affordable on even the tightest budget and can be installed with very little effort. Additionally, as is the case with energy-efficient windows and thermal curtains, heat-reducing film can also come in handy throughout the winter, when it can act as cold-reducing film.
High-Quality Ceiling Fans
When it comes to home cooling aids, ceiling fans consistently play second fiddle to air conditioning. While it’s true that air conditioners are more effective at altering temperature, it can’t be denied that ceiling fans play a vitally important role in keeping cooling costs in check. By evenly circulating the cool air from your home’s A/C throughout the residence, well-placed ceiling fans effectively reduce the strain on your air conditioning. Secondly, when ceiling fans are adjusted to have their blades spin counterclockwise, they can produce downward-flowing cool breezes, regardless of whether or not the A/C happens to be on. In addition, if your home is short on lighting fixtures, investing in ceiling fans with lights can be a great way to kill two birds with one stone.
Cooling a home throughout the summer – or year-round, depending on where you live – can place a considerable strain on one’s monthly income. This is particularly true for households that regard air conditioning as their only home cooling tool. Anyone looking for simple, effective ways to cut costs should consider the design choices discussed above. A little bit of time, effort and financial resources can help ensure that your residence stays comfortably cool without costing you an arm and a leg.
Article Submitted By Community Writer
