Keeping Cool on A Budget With the summer days ahead, and the expectations of very hot and humid days, one may become anxious of the costs of keeping cool on a budget. Making a few simple changes in your home will not only save you money during the summer months, but will keep your house cool as well. Here are a list of tips and tricks to keep you cool.

Thermostat Tips

Set your air conditioner to 78 Degrees. Did you know that setting your thermostat at 70 degrees costs twice as much than if you set it to 78 degrees? Best thing is, you won't even feel a difference! Set your air conditioner to 80 degrees when you are out of the home. When you return home, just turn the air conditioner back down. This way you don’t have to worry about waiting to cool the entire house again.

Use an automated programmable thermostat.

Make sure to clean or replace your filter monthly.

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Other Tips & Tricks

Keep your windows and curtains closed during the day. By doing so, you will

reduce your cooling costs by 30 %.

1 Only turn on boxed fans when there is

someone in the room to use it.

2 Utilizing a ceiling fan will make your home up to eight degrees cooler. It also only uses as much energy as a

100 watt light bulb.

3 Did you know that lights, televisions, and computers all

generate heat? Make sure to turn off these items when they are

not in use.

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Tips for the Long Haul

Purchase a thermostat-controlled attic fan. This will release super-heated air and keep the entire house cool. The attic itself can reach temperatures up to 150 degrees on very hot days.

1 Plant deciduous trees like Maple, Aspen, and Oak. These trees will keep the home cool once they grow tall enough to cover the home.

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Apply low-emissivity film to older windows. This will keep the sunlight from heating up your house.

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With summer just around the corner, it is important to have a game plan in place regarding keeping cool and staying within a budget. Making a few

changes in your home, using the tips listed above, will not only keep your home cool, but will also make your pockets a lot happier.

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