Keeping your home cool in the summer heat

   Tips on keeping your home cooler this summer

• Check & change your AC filters! - Changing your AC filters will help your AC run faster and smoother... This also helps the life expectancy of your AC. Filters should be changed every 90 days in a home with no pets and 60 days in a home with a pet.
• Close your blinds! - It is said that up to 30% of the unwanted heat in your home comes in through your windows...closing your blinds reflects the heat back out the window.
• Use your ceiling fans! - using the ceiling fans in your home help circulate the air and cool you down without turning down your AC.
• Use lighter colored sheets & home decor! - lighter colors reflect the heat keeping your home and you cooler!
• Run your appliances in the evening! - running your dishwasher and doing laundry emit a lot of heat. Running these appliances in the evening once the house is naturally cooling off from the sun going down will help your keep your home cooler.
• Change your incandescent bulbs to LED! - LED bulbs emit much less heat and will save you on your energy bill!
• Turn off and unplug any electronics not being used! - Most electronics radiate heat up to 140 degrees even when they are they are off! Unplugging can help keep your home cooler.
• Get more plants! - Not only do plants help the air quality in your home, they also cool your home down when the water from the plants evaporates.

Long term changes you can make!

• Check your insulation! - updating your insulation can not only help during the summer months but also in the winter months. It is a great way to help you lower your energy bill and keep your cool or warm air inside your home.
• Planting trees and bushes strategically! -Planting trees and bushes in places in the yard that will help shade your home from the sun will help reduce the heat entering your home. 
• Replace your shingles with a lighter shade! - Remember, dark shades absorb heat and lighter shades reflect heat. Using a lighter shade shingle will help reflect the heat from absorbing into your attic and home.
• Replacing your windows! - Think about replacing your windows with insulated glass. This will also help keep your energy bill low by keeping your cool or warm air inside your home.
• Installing a smart thermostat! - These types of thermostats allow you to program your air to fit your schedule... i.e. cooling your home down during the evening when you get home from work. This allows your air conditioner not to run all day long and helps save the longevity of your AC and help lower your energy bill!       

info gathered from CNN, Southern Living, and familyhandyman