Summer in the Asheville area brings hot, sunny days that translate into higher energy bills as cooling systems kick into high gear. By lowering your cooling load, you can lighten your monthly energy bills.

One of the biggest culprits that introduces heat to the home is the sun. Sunshine streaming in the windows is nice when the outdoor temperature is 70 degrees or lower, but when temperatures rise higher, the sun’s rays introduce unwanted heat into your home that your cooling system will have to counter.

One of the best ways to lower your cooling load is to reduce the amount of solar heat that enters your home. Here are some easy tips homeowners can take:

• Keep curtains, shades and blinds closed on windows facing the sun.
• Plant trees on the west and southeast sides of your home to provide shade.
• Install energy efficient Energy Star-rated windows.
• Window awnings will provide shade from the sun.
• High-reflectivity window films help block home heat gain in summer. They’re best for climates with long cooling seasons, as they also block solar heat in winter.
• Mesh window screens, which diffuse solar radiation, can help reduce solar heat, especially on windows that face east and west.
• Fabric sun screens can block 65 to 70 percent of solar heat.

Additional tips

• Keep interior lights off or at least turned down low during daylight.
• Turn off appliances and electronic devices when not in use.
• Use ovens and other heat-generating appliances at night when the temperatures are cooler.
• Set your temperature at 78 degrees when you’re home. Turn the temperature up to 85, or turn the air conditioner off when you’re away. Use a programmable thermostat to adjust settings automatically. Ceiling and room fans will make the air in your rooms feel cooler.
• Check windows and doors for air leaks, and seal leaks with caulk and weatherstripping.
• Sign up for preventive maintenance and let a professional HVAC contractor optimize your system.

For more on curbing your cooling load, contact the professionals at Smoky Mountain Heating & Air.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about lowering energy bills and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Smoky Mountain Heating & Air services Asheville, North Carolina and the surrounding areas. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!          

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