06.07.10
Madison MS Real Estate: Cool Your Home for Less This Summer
We’re all trying to live greener lives, but nothing zaps your energy or your will to live greener in your Madison home like summer heat.
The summer heat can also assault your wallet. In fact, Madison MS real estate homeowners can easily watch their utility bills double during the summer months.
If you own Madison MS real estate, fortunately, you have some steps you can take to cool your home for less money and less impact on the environment this summer. Here’s how.
1. Prep your home. Turn off heat-generating lights and appliances. Don’t use your oven. In the afternoon, close your windows and outside doors and keep window coverings drawn. At other times, use fans to create a cross breeze.
2. Raise your thermostat. When you’re not home, raise the thermostat to 80 degrees. Lower it two or three degrees when you are home and use ceiling fans to keep rooms cool. Moving your thermostat from 75 to 80 will lower your consumption by 15%. Your [city] home will still feel comfortable, and you will notice significant savings on your next utility bill.
3. Take a look at your windows. You’d be surprised to find out how much heat enters your home from old, single pane windows. Newer energy efficient windows with double panes block more heat and keep more cool air inside. If you can’t afford new windows now, at least cover the ones you have with heavy curtains or shades to keep out heat.
4. Check for leaks. Leaky duct work and poorly sealed doors can let as much cool air out of your home as an open window. Walk around your home checking under your doors and around your windows to feel for escaping air. Hire a professional to check your air conditioning systems for you. Take the time to have duct leaks repaired and seal air leaks.
5. Dress appropriately. There’s no reason to keep your home so cold that you have to wear extra layers of clothing when you’re inside. Wear light, loose fitting clothing. You’ll be more comfortable in slightly warmer temperatures. Keep light throw blankets handy for anyone who easily gets cold under a ceiling fan.
Implementing even one or two of these tips in your home can save you money and help the environment.
Are you thinking about buying Madison MS real estate and want an energy efficient home? I can help. Call me today at 601-942-3392 or email me at Paula@PaulaRicks.com to learn more.
Paula Ricks
Coldwell Banker Nell Wyatt, Inc.
443-A Northpark Dr, Ridgeland, MS 39157
Office: 601-956-8533
Call Direct: 601-942-3392
Paula@PaulaRicks.com
www.PaulaRicks.com
» Ways to Save Energy and Increase Comfort in Your Ridgeland MS Home This Summer Paula’s Blog said,
July 18, 2011 at 7:01 am
[...] Make sure your air conditioner is the right size for your Ridgeland MS home. Many people think bigger is always better. Not so. If your air conditioner is too large for your home, it will not reduce the humidity sufficiently. Lower humidity equals comfort in the summer. You may find that you can keep the thermostat a few degrees higher and be just as comfortable, as long as humidity is low, and you’ll cool your home for less. [...]