7 Home Cooling Options to Keep Your Home Comfortable This Summer

As the hot, humid Georgia summer arrives, keeping your home cool becomes a priority. Relying on air conditioning alone can send energy bills soaring. The good news is that a few smart strategies can keep you comfortable and lower your utility costs.

Here are seven proven home cooling options.

1. Use Fans Wisely

Ceiling fans and standalone fans make a room feel several degrees cooler by circulating air. They do not lower the actual temperature. Instead, moving air creates a wind chill effect on your skin.

• Turn fans off in empty rooms and when you leave home.
• In summer, run ceiling fans counterclockwise to push cool air down.
• In winter, switch them to clockwise at low speed to circulate warm air.
• Newer fan models are more efficient, quieter and better looking.

2. Adjust the Thermostat

A common myth is that raising the thermostat while you are away makes the system work harder to catch up later. In reality, when the system is not running, you are saving energy. Set it a few degrees warmer when you leave, and higher still when you travel.

The U.S. Department of Energy suggests 78 degrees as a good summer setting when you are home. If that is too warm for your family, every degree you raise the setting still helps lower cooling costs.

3. Install a Programmable or Smart Thermostat

Programmable and smart thermostats are more affordable than many people think, and they pay for themselves over time. Schedule different temperatures for when you are home and away, or use your phone to start cooling before you return from a trip. Some models even learn your schedule and adjust automatically. Learn more about adding smart tech during a remodel.

4. Maintain Your HVAC System

This is one area where you should never cut corners.

• Change filters regularly. Fresh filters improve air quality and keep dust out of the ducts and equipment.
• Schedule a yearly checkup, ideally before cooling or heating season. Older systems may benefit from checks every six months.
• Plan for replacement if your unit is old and needs frequent repairs. Newer systems are far more efficient.

5. Consider a Ductless Mini-Split

Mini-splits let you control the temperature of individual rooms, improving comfort and saving energy, especially in rooms your family uses most. Read our full guide to ductless mini-split systems.

6. Seal Air Leaks and Insulate

Do not let your savings escape through gaps around doors and windows. Weatherstripping and caulking fix visible gaps. An energy assessment can find hidden problem areas, and Energy.gov offers helpful air sealing tips.

If you are planning a remodel, it is a great time to upgrade insulation in your attic, walls and floors.

7. Replace Old Windows

Older windows with worn seals or single pane glass let heat in during summer and out during winter. Newer windows with double or triple glazing, low-E coatings and insulated frames block heat, keep indoor temperatures stable and ease the load on your HVAC system.

More Ways to Stay Cool

• Use a dehumidifier. Lower humidity makes your home feel cooler without lowering the thermostat.
• Close blinds and curtains during the hottest part of the day. Light colored, reflective coverings work best.
• Plant trees and shrubs for shade. Deciduous trees shade your home in summer and let sun through in winter.

Make Your Home More Comfortable

Put a few of these strategies to work and you will enjoy a cooler home and lower utility bills. If you are ready for upgrades like new windows, insulation or a home remodel, call Tracy Tesmer Design and Remodeling at 678-450-1700 or contact us online.