Keep hot air from entering
Insulation does not only keep the cold air out during the winter, it also keeps the warm air outside where it belongs during the summer. Without insulation, your home will have gaps that hot air can use to get in, forcing your air conditioning system to work even harder to keep you cool. Sealing off potential gaps also goes for windows and doors, so make sure to place a weather strip below your door and caulk around the of windows and doors.
Another component that can heat up your home is open windows during the hottest parts of the day. Close your windows during summer afternoons, and lower the blinds too. If the blinds are open, then sunlight can actually heat up the inside of your home much like it does to your car. Closing your blinds is an effective way to keep your AC bills low.
Put the cooler parts of the day to good use
Morning and nights are naturally cooler than afternoons, so you can turn off your air conditioning during these times of day and open your windows to keep cool. Just be sure to close your windows and lower the blinds before the temperature gets too hot. Enjoying the cooler parts of the day gives your air conditioning, and your wallet, a rest during the summer months.
Allow cold air to circulate your home
Be sure to open any internal doors so that the cold air from the air conditioning system can move easily around the house. Do not close off a room or seal off its vents because your air conditioner will actually work harder to fully cool your home than if the room was left open. Many people think that sealing off rooms they do not want to be cooled will lower their bills when that is not the case.
Give warm air an escape
You need to ventilate your home so that any warm air in your home can leave quickly. Remember that warm air rises, so ventilating your attic is of the utmost importance. Warm air tends to gather in the attic, and the potentially large amount of air in this part of the home can have negative effects on air conditioning bills. Proper ventilation can also reduce your need for air conditioning because air will be flowing and circulating in and out of your house naturally.
Keep humidity to a minimum
Believe it or not, many of daily activities actually increase the humidity in your home, which can impact the temperature. Do your best to avoid showering, cooking, or doing laundry in the afternoon when the temperature is already high. These considerations will help keep your home cooler by reducing the amount of moisture in the air. Installing a dehumidifier is also a smart idea to remove this moisture.
