Stay cool and save: Easy tips to beat the heat and lower energy bills

Experts are sharing practical ways to keep your home cool during the summer while reducing energy consumption and lowering bills.

Transcript

00:00 Everyone wants to limit air conditioning use and save money when possible, but

00:05 hotter temperatures may require some new strategies to stay cool.

00:10 During the day when the sun is its hottest and it's coming down on your home,

00:14 make sure that you close your blinds, close your shades, so you can keep the cool air in and the hot air out.

00:21 If you don't have central air, George says to seal cracks and gaps to make sure the cool air stays in.

00:26 Keeping a fan on the ground floor will also help circulate that air.

00:31 Use your ceiling fan. Turn it counterclockwise and that will help to lower the temperature in your home

00:38 because it is easier to move air than to cool it.

00:42 It's all about timing too.

00:44 Make sure that your stove, your washing machine, your dryer, your dishwasher,

00:49 use those at night when it's cooler because these are energy producing appliances that will heat your home.

00:56 To help reduce overall energy costs each year, clean or replace the filters in your HVAC unit every three months.

01:03 By doing that, you can reduce your overall energy costs by 15% a year.

01:10 Smart thermostats will also save roughly $180 a year on your energy bill.

01:15 Don't forget, when the weather gets warm, be sure to check on your neighbors and elderly relatives

01:20 while paying mind to yourself and pets too.

01:23 Drink cool, non-alcoholic fluids and also make sure that your animals and pets

01:29 also are staying cool and drinking that same cool fluid.

01:33 little bit.