When summer hits, your energy bills can skyrocket! Luckily, a few smart design swaps can keep your home cool, comfortable and efficient without breaking the bank. Believe it or not—there are ways to remain energy efficient without paying for it later.
How do you beat the heat and save money at the same time? Let us break it down for you!
Floors That Keep You Cool
Don’t overlook flooring! It can warm up or cool down your home. Some flooring materials reflect heat while others absorb it. Consider taking some of the following steps:
- Install Cool-Toned LVP or Tile in High-Sun Areas: Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) and tile reflect heat. Cool tones like grays and blues won’t absorb heat. These materials are ideal for areas that get direct sunlight like living rooms and kitchens.
- Use Lighter Flooring Colours: Dark floors like rich browns and black are beautiful, but absorb heat. In contrast, light flooring colors reflect heat and keep spaces cooler.
- Choose Flooring with Thermal Insulation or Underlayment: Some flooring systems have built-in thermal insulation to keep your room temperature consistent. Underlayment also provides insulation and reduces heat transfer.
Planning a summer remodel? Follow our flooring tips to keep cool all summer long!
Window Coverings That Work
Window coverings are a great way to stay cool! The right treatments make a huge difference. WIndow coverings can block solar heat, trap air and automate your cooling routines, cutting your energy costs. Here are our recommendations:
- Use Honeycomb Shades to Trap Air and Block Solar Heat: These blinds trap air between their layers, insulating your windows, reducing heat transfer and lowering cooling costs.
- Install Motorized Shades to Automate Cooling Schedules: Schedule your shades to open and close based on the time of day or temperature. It keeps your home cool when the temperatures are the hottest.
- Layer Drapes Over Blinds for Additional Insulation: A layer of drapes over blinds provides additional insulation. It blocks more heat, so you don’t constantly have to leave your air conditioning running.
Blinds make a difference. If you’re shopping for new blinds, follow our advice to stay cool and lower your energy bills!
Small Changes That Add Up
The little things make a difference! Even the smallest steps can bring your energy bills down. Check out these easy-to-implement tips to maximize your home’s energy efficiency:
- Close Blinds and Curtains During Peak Sunlight Hours: Keep the blinds and curtains closed during the hottest part of the day to keep the sun out. It will keep the room cooler and reduce the need for air conditioning.
- Add Rugs to Insulate Against Hot Flooring in Open Spaces: Rugs can prevent heat from transferring through your flooring. Add rugs to the busiest areas of your home to insulate and cool down your home.
- Switch Out Light Bulbs to warm LED to Reduce Heat Output: Iridescent bulbs give off heat, which can warm up your home. Switch to energy-efficient LED bulbs to reduce your electricity and cooling costs.
You don’t have to make big changes to save money on your energy bills. Try out some of these strategies!
Track Your Savings
How do you know if any of these tips work!? After making some design swaps, you can track your savings. Consider the following:
- Use the Tracker Below to Compare Energy Bills Before and After: Note your energy consumption before and after these changes. Compare your monthly bills to get a better picture of what you saved.
- Note Room Temperatures Before/After Installing Products: Measure your room temperatures with and without upgrades.Think about your comfort levels to determine if your home feels cooler.
- Take a Monthly Snapshot of Your Thermostat Habits and Changes: Track how often you use the thermostat. If you noticed your cooling usage has gone down since the design swaps, you’re doing it right.
Tracking these changes is the best way to determine if your hard work has paid off.
Ready to Start Your Energy Saving Makeover?
Looking to maximize your energy savings? Consider upgrading your flooring with High Plains Flooring & Blinds. We are offering a limited-time promotion. When you shop in-store, you can take advantage of 15% off waterproof flooring and 20% off motorized blinds until July 31.
Want to keep your home cool and stylish this summer? Visit our Pueblo West or Fountain showroom or contact us to learn more today!
