As we enter the hottest months of the year, power grid operators are urging consumers to conserve energy as much as possible. Not only will this help avoid some similar issues to what we suffered in winter, it will also help lower monthly energy costs. Here are some summer energy saving tips from our cash home buyers in Dallas. We can sell your home in 24 hours!
#1 – Service, Replace or Clean Your Air Conditioning System
Old and poorly maintained air conditioning systems use a lot more energy than serviced and high-efficiency units. If your AC system is 15 years old or more, it’s worth it to look for an Energy Star rated unit to help you save energy in summer. If your AC system is newer or you can’t afford to replace it right now, consider getting professionals in to clean and maintain it so that it works as efficiently as possible. There are also a few things you can do yourself, like cleaning the air filter – this can save 5-15% in energy use alone!
#2 – Invest in a Programmable or Smart Thermostat
Smart and programmable thermostats are a great investment that pay for themselves in no time at all, and one of the best ways to save energy in summer. These thermostats allow you to customize home cooling, so your AC system isn’t left running while you’re not home, ensuring that it’s cool when you arrive home without running up your energy bill. This saves on the hassle of constantly adjusting your thermostat, and means you can control cooling in different zones from your smartphone. The Nest smart thermostat claims it can lower energy costs by as much as 20%!
#3 – Set Your Thermostat a Little Higher
To save money and relieve pressure on the grid, keep your thermostat just low enough for comfort. Experts recommend that this should be no lower than 78-90 degrees F. For every degree your thermostat is raised, it can save you 4-8% in energy costs, which is a great way to save energy in summer.
#4 – Block Out Sunlight
Use blinds and blackout curtains to block out sunlight from your home. Keep these drawn through the day when you’re not home or when you’re not using that living space. This will also save your textiles, furnishings and floors that are vulnerable to fading and sun damage.
#5 – Invest in Fans
Use fans to help cool your home rather than just relying on air conditioning. They use far less energy to run and can be just as effective, allowing you to turn up your thermostat as much as 4 degrees F. For ceiling fans, make sure the blades are set to turn counterclockwise, as this pushes air town and creates a cool breeze.
You can also place a bowl of ice in front of a freestanding fan. As the air is pushed over the ice, it will cool the room. It’s a great option if your AC unit isn’t working or you want to save energy in summer.
#6 – Cook and Eat Outside
There are plenty of reasons why a BBQ is a Texas favorite, and one of them is that it’s a great energy saver! Not only does cooking on gas or charcoal mean you’re saving electricity, but it also means you aren’t using your stove and oven, which contribute towards heating your home up and making your AC unit work even harder to cool things down.
Create an outdoor kitchen space, cook outside regularly, and enjoy the cooler night air – just remember to turn off your fans when you’re outside to save even more.
#7 – Shade Your Home
The way you design and plant your garden can create a cooler microclimate for your home. We recommend that you use native trees and plants as these are the most resilient, low maintenance plants, designing your garden so that taller trees will shade the parts of your home that get the most sun in summer. You can also build a rain garden to support water conservation and create cooling green spaces, and use rainwater collection systems to help actively conserve water through the drier months.
Sell Your Home for More this Summer with Our Cash for Homes Team in Dallas
If you want to sell your home fast and privately without the hassle of looking for a buyer or upgrading your home, then your best bet is to sell directly to cash home buyers in Dallas. We also have plenty of homes for sale if you are looking to buy investment properties!
Our cash for homes Dallas team is happy to buy it for a market-related price – sight unseen and no upgrades needed – and you can sell your home in 24 hours. Here’s how our process works:
- You enter your information on our website. We’ll contact you directly to discuss an offer for your property (you can also get a free property evaluation from our website)
- You can accept or reject the offer
- You can also call us directly on 469-858-0088
Our team is compassionate and highly motivated to offer you the best possible market-related price for your home, so you can sell your home in 24 hours. Not only does this cash go straight into your bank account as soon as the sale goes through, but you also pay zero real estate agent commission. It’s all about making selling your home as fast and as rewarding as possible!
At Shiny Key Properties, our trained consultants have years of experience in helping homeowners to sell quickly. To find out more about our cash for homes Dallas service or to speak to our cash home buyers directly, please contact us today and speak to one of our friendly team members.