It’s starting to warm up and summer is right around the corner. This means more time is spent outdoors. However, it’s important to have a comfortable home to return to when we’re done with our outdoor activities. Here are some ways to keep your home cool this summer while keeping your energy usage low.

Change Air Filters

You want to have the best quality ventilation, especially during the summer when pollen and humidity are on the rise. Change your HVAC system’s air filters to make sure clean air is being circulated through your home. Check your filters frequently in the summer, about every month. They need to be changed in the summer more frequently than other times of the year.

Take Advantage of Nature

Planting trees and shrubs near your home can help keep it cool in the summer by providing shade.  If the area around the house is cool, it’ll be easier to keep the home cool. However be cautious when planting trees near your home, you don’t want it close enough to damage your roof or home if it should break in a storm. We would advise you to contact a professional landscaper who can pinpoint good locations on your property to plant trees and shrubbery for a cooling effect.

Install Ceiling Fans

If you don’t have them already, ceiling fans come in handy in the high traffic rooms during the summer. Instead of running your AC continuously in highly trafficked rooms, use a ceiling fan. Ceiling fans tend to use less energy than air conditioners. They pull up warm air and push it down to mimic a chilled breeze.  These work best if your home is properly insulated to keep out the heat.

Home Insulation Update

Have a professional come in and check your home insulation levels. You want to make sure your home is properly insulated to keep the heat out and the cool air in. You might need to add some extra insulation or might not need to do anything at all. The only way to find out is to check and make sure everything is working as it should.

Sign up for a Home Energy & Home Improvement Maintenance Inspection to make sure you’re using energy properly in your home.