June brought some heat, so we thought before we get into the even warmer summer months we’d offer some tips to help you save on energy costs this season.

1. Check for air leakage around your windows, doors and even your attic. Caulking can help around doors and windows, and additional insulation in the attic can make a big difference.
2. Cook outside more often than not. Summer is a great time to make your grill and Traeger you primary cooking tools. The slow cooker and instant pot are also your friend as they don’t heat up your home like the oven does. Finally, consider “cold” meals like a pasta salad that allow you to prep the meal at a cooler time of day and eat it at your leisure.
3. Covering the windows, especially at the hottest time of the day, can help to increase your home’s energy efficiency. Insulated curtains are helpful in winter and summer as they keep cold and heat out while improving sleep when the daylight hours start earlier and stay later.
4. Install a programmable thermostat for optimal energy efficiency. Just set it and forget it. Fight the desire to turn the A/C or heat off when you travel as that can be hard on a home, and consistency in temperature uses less energy.
5. Use fans instead of A/C whenever possible. Especially at night when it cools down, open windows to get fresh air and turn on fans. The moving air may be preferrable to cold air for many, and fans provide energy savings over air conditioning. Double check that the blades of the fan are moving counterclockwise which moves air down instead of up.
6. Change the furnace filter. Filters aren’t cheap but it’s decidedly more affordable than replacing your HVAC system. Dirty filters restrict air flow and make your system work harder than necessary. Regularly changing out your furnace filter at the beginning of every season is a good way to optimize your system. We also recommend clearing out any plants or debris growing around your outdoor unit. Also make sure your indoor venting is not being impeded by furniture or rugs.