7 Home Tips to Save Money This Summer

The days are coming soon (or maybe they’re already here) that you need to turn off the heat and run the air conditioning.

Soon, the temperatures will be skirting 90 or 100 and the cost of keeping your house cool increases a lot.

Here are 7 suggestions you can easily start to help lower your utility bills and still stay comfortable.

• By keeping your thermostat set at 70° your costs are double those if you kept it set at 78° – by simply turning up the temperature by 2 degrees, you can really save a lot of money.
• When you know you’ll be gone for a while, set the temperature at 80° rather than turn the whole unit off. It’s much more efficient to cool the house back down from 80° than cool it after being completely off.
• While a ceiling fan uses about as much energy as a 100-watt bulb, it can make the room feel up to 8 degrees cooler. Turn the blades so they are counterclockwise to move the air down and create a cool breeze.
• You can reduce cooling costs by 30% simply by keeping windows closed and shades drawn during the heat of the day.
• Remember, lights, computers and televisions all radiate heat so turn them off when you are not using them to help keep the house cooler. Even at a small amount, several items together can create extra heat.
• In addition to checking your air conditioner’s maintenance recommendations, create a cover over the unit to keep it cooler. Make sure you don’t create hazards for the air intake though.
• Make sure the air filter stays clean. A clean filter can help save almost 10% in costs. Check the filter and consider replacing it monthly.

If your air conditioning system and/or components break down, a home warranty can help protect you from unexpected repair costs.

“A home warranty,” says Dave Quandt, vice president of field services for American Home Shield, “is a service contract that covers the repair or replacement of many of the most common home system breakdowns. It also covers appliances not usually covered by homeowner’s insurance.” Quandt says that American Home Shield offers home warranty coverage regardless of the age of the home, and it can be purchased at any time, not just when a home is bought or sold.

To get more summer home care tips, and to learn more about home warranties, visit www.ahs.com.