As we are all aware by now, summer is here and it’s hot. Very, very hot. As temperatures rise, so does the amount we spend on cooling our homes. However, you can conserve energy and save money by keeping your home naturally cool without using air-conditioning. Here are some helpful tips to keep your home cool and your bills low this summer.

Let the Cool Air In - When the day cools off, open doors and windows to allow the cool air to circulate through the rooms of your home. Turn on fans to create a cross-breeze, circulating the cool night air. Keep the kitchen cabinets open all night because they can store heat in your home.

Keep Out the Heat - As the temperature climbs during the morning, close doors, and shut your blinds and curtains to block out the sun. This way you keep the cooler air in and prevent hot air from entering. Close doors quickly when entering or exiting your home.

Turn on the bathroom exhaust Fan - Warm air accumulates at the ceiling.  Turning on the exhaust will remove the hot air and cooler air will move in to replace it.   That switch by the thermostat that nobody knows what it does is usually linked to a bathroom exhaust fan.   This works even if you have Air Conditioning. 

Turn the furnace fan on-  If the thermostat has a fan switch turn it on.  This will move cool air from the basement throughout the home.    If you have air conditioning leaving the fan on will reduce the hot and cold spots especially on the split level homes that are typically harder to heat and cool. 

Insulate - One of the most effective ways to keep a home cool is to install adequate insulation. Insulation keeps the home cool in summer.

Seal Drafts - Seal holes, cracks and openings in your home to stop the flow of hot air seeping in through the walls and ceiling. Weather stripping and weatherizing your home greatly reduces the amount of cool air that escapes.

Turn off heat sources - Avoid using the stove and oven as much as possible. Instead, use the microwave to quickly heat food without raising the temperature of the kitchen, and set your dishwasher to use its non-heated drying cycle. Incandescent light bulbs also create heat - switch to compact fluorescents instead. Turn off lamps, electronics, and computers when not in use.