Residents of Las Vegas know how blistering hot it can get in the height of summer. Instead of biting the bullet and trying to outlast the heat, you could be looking at ways to keep the heat out of your home so that you can save energy and enjoy a more comfortable summer.
Not all the energy-saving measures you take to beat the heat have to cost a fortune. There are practical steps that you can take to make your home more heat resistant. A lot of these measures put a spotlight on insulating your home effectively.
Insulate Your Windows
The windows in your home are one of the main sources of air leaks. By insulating your windows effectively, you will help to keep the heat out and reduce the load on your air conditioner.
Windows often develop cracks that allow hot air in. You can use caulking or spray foam around your windows to stop hot air coming in. You can also apply an insulating film to the window panes for an extra layer of protection.
Weatherproof Your Doors
There are a few ways you can make your doors more weatherproof:
- Weatherstripping. This doesn’t cost much and is very effective in keeping the heat out. Apply vinyl or rubber weather stripping to the door jambs.
- Door sweeps. A door sweep is usually a rubber strip that you affix to the bottom of your door to keep drafts out. It doesn’t hinder the operation of the door in any way.
- Draft guards. Draft guards are used when door sweeps are not sufficient to block any air leakage under the door. They can fixed to the bottom of the door or moved into place when needed.
Arrange a Home Energy Audit
Sometimes it is worth the expense to appoint a professional to do an energy audit on your home. Your utility company should be able to provide this service.
An auditor will inspect your home from top to bottom to identify areas where energy is lost. They will give you advice on how to stop these losses and make your home more energy-efficient.
The Department of Energy gives excellent advice on how you can conduct your own energy audit and save the cost of hiring a professional.
Schedule a Check-up of Your Air Conditioning System
This is the time to schedule an inspection of your air conditioner, before the full heat of summer sets in. You don’t want to be stuck in the sweltering heat with a broken-down system.
A qualified air conditioning technician will conduct a thorough inspection of your system to highlight any problem areas that require maintenance. He will carry out tests and measurements and make necessary adjustments to ensure that your air conditioner is running at maximum efficiency. By fine-tuning your system, a professional can ensure that your air conditioner is operating to give you maximum savings on your energy bill.
Consider Installing a New Air Conditioning System
If your current air conditioner is coming up to retirement age or starting to cost too much in yearly maintenance, you should consider replacing it. New air conditioners incorporate the latest technology and are far more energy-efficient than older units. What you spend on a new system could easily be recovered within a few years through the savings on your monthly energy bill.
Contact a leading air conditioning specialist in Las Vegas to conduct an inspection of your system and give you professional advice on how you can implement energy-saving measures in your home.
