As the weather gets warmer, more and more people are cranking up their AC to keep their house cool and comfortable. However, with that comes a rise in energy usage and a higher utility bill. This is why many homeowners are looking for ways to decrease their energy usage so that they can save money on their utility bill. Here are some simple ways to keep your house cool without cranking up the AC.

1. Get Energy Efficient Drapes

Just as the sun will heat up the outdoors, it will also heat up your house. This means that during the hottest part of the day if your drapes or blinds are open and you are letting the sunlight in you are going to heat things up. When you do this your AC unit is going to have to work extra hard to compensate for extra heat in your house. For this reason, you should close the drapes and blinds during this time to minimize the heat. The best solution is to get energy efficient drapes. These are drapes that actually block out the sun's rays so that there is no way the rays can heat up the house.

2. Avoid Cooking During The Day

Many people choose to use an outdoor grill during the warmer months. This is not just because BBQ food is appealing, it is because it is more energy efficient. When you use the oven or stove in your house it will heat up the area. Thus, if you are cooking throughout the day you are going to heat up your house significantly. Once again this will cause the AC unit to have to work harder to compensate for the change in temperature.

If you do have to cook in the oven, do so in the morning and try to open the windows to allow the heat to escape outdoors. Otherwise, use an outdoor grill.

3. Cool Down The People, Not The House

Lastly, the goal is to keep the people in the house comfortable, not necessarily the house. Instead of trying to cool down the whole house, find ways to help those in the house stay cool. You can provide cold beverages, lose a layer of clothing, install fans throughout the house, or spend more time in the basement. These are all inexpensive ways to stay cool even if the house is hot.

By doing these simple things you can keep your house cool even if it is hot outside. For more information, consider contacting a professional like those at HELP Plumbing, Heating, Cooling and Electric.