3 Tips To Save Energy Around Your House This Summer

The weather is heating up and soon you'll be leaving your air conditioner on around the clock. Unfortunately, staying cool during the hottest time of the year can drive up your energy bills and leave you fighting with your budget.

The good news is there are plenty of ways you can reduce your energy use without sacrificing your comfort. Here are a few ways you can save money around your house this summer without busting your budget.

Take care of the trees in your yard

The maple tree by the side of your house may be the last thing you think of when it comes to saving on energy costs. But it turns out the shade from trees can actually reduce your air conditioning costs by up to 25% during the summer months.

In fact, trees can also save you money during the winter months, too. Because they help to shield against the wind, trees can reduce heating costs in your home by at least 10%.

You can take care of your trees by trimming them when necessary. It's also important to keep an eye out for pests to keep them from making your tree sick. A sick tree can be a safety hazard.

Use window treatments to your advantage

If you don't have trees in your yard, you're not out of luck. You can get similar energy-saving benefits by using the right window treatments around your home.

During the winter months, draperies can the amount of heat loss in one room by 10%. They can also keep the sun from increasing the temperature in your home by blocking the light out entirely with blackout curtains.

Blackout curtains help to keep your home from turning into an oven during the summer months, which can make your air conditioner work harder than it needs to.

Call for maintenance twice a year

During the spring and autumn months, it's important to have an inspection on two parts of your home: the roof and your HVAC system.

Your roof is what protects your home throughout the year from rain, snow, hail, and debris. Winter takes the biggest toll on your roof, which is why it's recommended to have it inspected both before winter and after winter.

Small roofing repairs can save you a lot of money, especially when it comes to damage control. What's more, choosing the right roofing material can even lower your home's energy needs by 30%.

It's also recommended to have your home's HVAC system inspected twice a year for the same reason. Your HVAC system works hard to keep you and your family warm during the winter months and cool during the summer months, so you need to make sure it's in good working condition for both seasons.

Inspections and maintenance repairs are cheaper than major repairs, which may be necessary later on if you haven't been keeping up with the more minor fixes. Maintenance also keeps your HVAC system running efficiently, which can save on energy bills throughout the year.

There are many different ways you can save on energy during the summer months. From ensuring your HVAC system is running efficiently to hanging up curtains, you can reduce home energy costs without any big investments.