Summer is here, and so are the scorching temperatures and high energy bills. If you want to keep your home cool and comfortable without breaking the bank, you might be interested in some simple and inexpensive ways to improve your air conditioning system’s efficiency. Here are five cheap household items that can help you save money and energy while staying cool this summer.
Curtains and Blinds
One of the easiest ways to reduce the heat gain in your home is to block the sunlight from entering through your windows. By using curtains or blinds, you can prevent up to 30% of the solar heat from warming up your rooms, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. This means your AC won’t have to work as hard to maintain a comfortable temperature. Choose light-colored or reflective materials for maximum effect.
Fans
Another simple way to enhance your AC efficiency is to use fans to circulate the cool air throughout your home. Fans can create a wind chill effect that makes you feel cooler, allowing you to raise your thermostat by a few degrees and save up to 10% on your cooling costs, according to Energy Star. You can use ceiling fans, floor fans, or even box fans placed in front of your AC vents to boost the airflow.
Ice
If you want to cool down your room quickly, you can try this simple hack: fill a large bowl with ice and place it in front of a fan. The fan will blow the cold air from the ice across the room, creating a mini air conditioner. This can help you lower the temperature by a few degrees without using much electricity. Just make sure to replace the ice as it melts.
Plants
Plants are not only good for your health and mood, but also for your AC efficiency. Plants can act as natural air filters, removing pollutants and dust from the air that can clog your AC filters and reduce its performance. Plants can also provide shade and evaporative cooling, lowering the temperature around them by releasing moisture into the air. Some of the best plants for cooling are aloe vera, snake plant, fern, and palm.
Foil
If you have an attic or a crawl space, you might be losing a lot of cool air through the roof. To prevent this, you can use foil to insulate your attic or crawl space and reflect the heat back outside. You can either buy radiant barrier foil or simply use aluminum foil to cover the underside of your roof or floor. This can reduce the heat gain in your home by up to 25%, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
There are many ways to improve the efficiency of your home air conditioning system without spending a lot of money. By using simple cheap household items such as curtains, fans, ice, plants, and foil you can lower the temperature of your rooms, reduce the humidity and increase the air circulation.
These tips can help you save energy, money and the environment while keeping your home cool and comfortable in the summer. Remember to always maintain your AC unit, and check for any leaks or damages that might affect its performance.
