Keep Your Home Cool During The Houston Summer

According to recent data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, air conditioning costs account for approximately 12 percent of home energy expenditures throughout the country. In hot, humid areas like Houston, though, they can account for up to 27 percent.

Are you looking forward to the summer months but feeling anxious about how the heat will affect your utility bills?

Read on for some great tips that will help you save money and keep your home cool during Houston summer weather.

Open Your Windows at Night

Opening up your house’s awning windows at night when the sun goes down is a simple way to enjoy a cool breeze and stay comfortable during the summer months. This gets air circulating throughout the home, too, so it feels fresher and less stuffy.

In addition to opening the windows at night, it can also be beneficial to utilize fans. Fans allow you to create cool air tunnels without using as much power as the air conditioner does.

The best way to do this is to open a window on the main floor of your house just a crack, then open a window widely on the second floor on the opposite side of the house. Use a fan in that room to push air out. Heat rises and using this trick will help you to get the hot air out in the most efficient way possible.

Close Your Blinds During the Day

Your home’s stunning picture window provides an incredible view. Leaving it uncovered all day long, though, is not ideal during the Houston summer when your primary goal is to stay cool.

Close the blinds or curtains over all your windows during the daytime, at least during the hours when the weather is the hottest and open them up in the early morning and evening. That way, you can still get some sunlight without feeling like your house has been transformed into an oven.

Do Your Chores After Dark

Certain household chores can cause your house to heat up more than others. Tackling tasks like laundry and running the dishwasher during the daytime will make your house warmer and require your air conditioner to work harder. This, in turn, will lead to higher energy bills.

Consider rearranging your chore schedule so you can do these chores in the evening when the weather isn’t as hot. You won’t have to rely as heavily on the air conditioner during this time, and it’ll keep your house cool.

Break Out the Grill

Using your oven and stovetop to cook in the summer is a surefire way to heat up your house and send your air conditioner into overdrive. Instead of doing this, try using your outdoor grill more often.

Grilling is not just the quintessential summer activity. It also saves you from having to heat up your house. You get to enjoy the great outdoors and delicious food, too. What could be better?

Maximize Your Air Condition

When it comes to using your air conditioner without sending your bills skyrocketing, be sure to keep these tips in mind:

-Install a programmable thermostat

-Set temperatures to 75 degrees (+/- 1-2 degrees) when you’re at home

-Set temperatures to 80 degrees (+/- 1-2 degrees) when you’re out of the house

Remember, the goal is to help your air conditioner run in the smoothest, most efficient way possible. Avoid fiddling with it too much. This causes it to work harder and will increase your energy costs in a big way.

Upgrade Your Windows

This last tip is more of an investment than some of the others on this list. However, the return you will get from it are almost certainly worth your while.

Upgrading to more energy-efficient windows will seal up cracks in your home that may be letting hot air in and cool air out. This gives you the gift of lower bills and a more comfortable home.

Look for replacement windows that feature vinyl frames and Low-E (short for low-emissivity) glass technology.

Vinyl window frames have chambers that allow for extra insulation. This, in turn, improves energy efficiency and reduces the risk of air escaping or being let in.

Low-emissivity glass also reduces heat transfer through the window to keep the house cool and lower expenses.

Keep Your Home Cool During the Houston Summer with New Windows

As you can see, there are lots of strategies you can implement when it comes to trying to keep your home cool during Houston summer weather.

One of the most effective steps to take, though, is to invest in window replacements. Replacing your windows will lower the temperature of your house during the summer and increase its energy efficiency. It will improve the house’s appearance and boost its resale value, too.