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With the summer months on the horizon, you might be dreading that middle-of-July utility bill after you’ve been pumping the air conditioning round the clock. Believe it or not, you can decrease your energy usage without sacrificing the comfortable temperatures in your home this summer. By adjusting a few things both inside and outside your home, you can effectively save money and energy when it comes to cooling your space this summer.

Harness Your Green Thumb

It’s seemingly obvious that planting leafy trees around your home provides shade and, therefore, relief from the heat. Direct sunlight on your roof and through your windows can heat up your home significantly, so investing in some tall, prolific trees does more than boost your curb appeal. But, did you know that shading your actual cooling equipment can also contribute to energy savings? Shading your AC unit with foliage from trees and shrubs can increase its efficiency up to 10%. That’s a savings worth putting on your gardening gloves for.

Use Your Thermostat

Programmable thermostats hold a lot of power when it comes to optimizing your energy usage. Cool when it counts, and set the schedule to allow temperatures to be higher when you’re away from home to conserve energy and money. Open those windows at night when it cools down to more comfortable temperatures and let mother nature do the cooling. Don’t forget to capitalize on your summer vacation as an opportunity to let the thermostat climb a little higher than usual while you’re away.

Cover Your Windows

Window coverings can be a game changer when it comes to keeping your home cool and comfortable. Mesh and solar window screens can intercept up to 70% of the sun’s energy, drastically reducing solar heat gain. On the interior, blinds, cellular shades, curtains and drapes can effectively shade the home and keep heat and sunlight at bay, in addition to contributing to aesthetics and privacy. Window films are another great option for curtailing glare and solar heat gain.

Give your AC Some TLC

Maintaining your equipment is prudent when it comes to cost efficiency and the lifespan of your investment. Having your air conditioning unit inspected and serviced annually will pay dividends in the long run, as regular maintenance ensures the equipment is running at optimal efficiency.

Keeping your home comfortable this summer goes beyond firing up the air conditioning. We hope this post has provided you with some additional practices to implement to keep costs low while keeping cool. If you’re ready to schedule your annual AC maintenance, or perhaps replace that air conditioning unit on its last leg, look no further than Finger Lakes Comfort. Our team of experienced professionals is ready to help you keep cool this summer with a variety of cooling services, including AC coil units, AC condensers, ductless mini splits, and AC cleaning. 

Get in touch with us today to get started.