Homeowners in Orangeville, Owen Sound, Shelburne, Collingwood Caledon and all across Ontario know how hot our summers can be. And often, homeowners rely a little too much on air conditioners. While air conditioners are great for keeping us cool on the really unbearably hot days, try some of these tips for keeping your home a little cooler this summer – without spending too much on your cooling bills.

• Invest in some dark curtains that absorb the sunlight for parts of your house that get a lot of afternoon sun
• Purchase outdoor bamboo blinds and install them on the exterior of your windows to block out the sun before it enters your windows
• Open your windows during cool nights to get some of that fresh air inside
• Use a ceiling fan to keep cool air circulating throughout your home
• If possible, plant some shade trees outside your home to give a bit of relief from the hot sun
• Consider replacing your air conditioner unit for a more energy-efficient and powerful one
• Don’t use a dehumidifier at the same time your air conditioner is running; the air conditioner works as a powerful dehumidifier itself and using two would be energy redundant
• Clean your air filters every month during the summer months
• Replace standard light bulbs with high efficiency light bulbs like CFL or LED lights; these produce less heat than incandescent bulbs
• Cook on your barbecue as often as possible during the summer to avoid producing indoor heat with your oven or stove
• Electronics produce a lot of heat, even when they’re turned off, so consider unplugging them when you’re not using them
• Make sure your windows and doors are properly sealed to prevent cool air from escaping
• If possible, leave chores like laundry until the evening as washers and dryers produce a lot of heat and humidity
• Turn your hot water heater down a little bit so that it runs less and produces less heat

Find out more about home comfort from Bryan’s Fuel in Orangeville.