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How to cool a house

Energy efficient tips on how to cool a house or apartment.

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Apply these how to cool a house tips and feel good. Photo by -sel on Flickr.As spring comes to an end, summer rolls around. It can be very useful to know how to cool a house. Ensuring that you have a properly functioning air conditioner is important. Here are additional summer tips you can use to cool your house down while saving power.

It is important to be energy efficient in order to save money on your electric bills. Continuously running an AC unit can be very expensive, and saving energy is preferable.

Need more tips on how to cool a house? Connect with contractors now for AC installation quotes and Energy Star models!

Apartment dweller

For those who live in an apartment, there are not many air conditioning solutions. Some people do not want to install a window-mounted unit as they do not like the look of it. A portable air conditioning unit can be an effective solution. These work by exhausting hot air through the window.

Unlike a wall-mounted unit, a portable air conditioner simply requires a small vent to be installed out the window to release hot air.

Installing covers on your windows to keep out heat is a helpful tip to keep the place cool without using power.

Additionally, minimize how long you use the stove and reducing power usage will help keep the place cooler as well.

Nesting dweller

If you do not live in an apartment there are additional options. Typically, adding insulation is another way how to cool a house.

Installing insulation is one of the best ways of how to cool a house. It will make you more comfortable and reduce how much power you use to run an AC. Over 90 percent of U.S. houses are under-insulated.

Call a contactor near you and ask if they offer free consultations. Often, they will come to your house for free, inspect your unit, and let you know if you could benefit from installing additional insulation. Also ask them to check the duct work to see if it is sealed properly.

If you don't have an AC, or you have one that is not Energy Star certified, ask the contractor to give you an air conditioner estimate as well. Many new AC units come with a warranty of around 10 years. The government also offers a federal tax credit for people who upgrade to Energy Star labeled products. Be sure to check if you qualify.

Besides making sure the AC model is Energy Star complient, also familiarize yourself with the seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) rating. Double check with the contractor that the AC unit is the right size for your home too. A unit that is too small will defeat the purpose. One that is too large will also backfire and hit your wallet.

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Depending on whether you live in an apartment or a house, there are different methods to cool your residence. Apartment residents and home owners can add AC units and install shades on their windows to block sunlight.

As a final tip on how to cool a house: Keep your thermostat set at 78 degrees when you're home. 

Get your 4 free cooling estimates!

Photo credit: -sel via Compfight CC.