Keeping your home cool during the summer can be challenging and costly during heat waves. All of that summer heat tends to build up inside your home and make it feel like an oven. You can employ some simple techniques to make your home more comfortable this summer. Another benefit is that you can also make your home more energy efficient.

Service Your HVAC

Your HVAC unit is like any other appliance in your home. If it isn’t cared for properly, it can start to experience problems. Consider using a company like Custom Comfort to give your HVAC unit a checkup. This will ensure that your AC can function in the most energy efficient manner possible when you do decide to use it.

Set Your Thermostat

Allowing your home to become too warm can make your AC less efficient. This is because it has to work that much harder to cool your house down to the proper temperature. Set your thermostat to a more consistent temperature. This will prevent your AC from having to work double time.

Replace Drafty Windows

Warm air leaking into your home can cause the temperature to start to rise. Those drafty windows are letting in a lot of hot air during the summer months. Replace them with more energy efficient models so that you can cut down on the air exchange in your home.

Beef up the Insulation

Add insulation into the attic, crawlspace, and above the garage of your home. You may want to consider adding insulation into your walls if you have an older home. This will increase the overall energy efficiency of your house. You may be surprised at how comfortable your home can be when it’s properly insulated.

Use Natural Cooling Methods

One of the more overlooked solutions to increasing the energy efficiency of your home is to use free methods of cooling it. Open up those new windows at night to let in cool air and release the warm air. You may want to use a window fan to facilitate the air exchange. A fan is much more cost effective than running the AC.

There are other ways that you can make your home more energy efficient. Painting it a lighter color or replacing the roof with a lighter shingle also help. Adding landscaping that provides a little bit of cover is another solution. You may want to use several methods so that you can reap the most energy efficiency.