Summer is coming up fast, and for many people, this means enjoying a vacation or just spending time outdoors with loved ones. However, if you’re a homeowner, you know that expenses around the house can add up quickly. Being proactive can help you save money on your home before summer arrives, so you can focus instead on making the most of the season. Here are six tips for saving money on your home this summer.
1. Schedule HVAC Maintenance
During the warmer months, you’ll be relying heavily on your HVAC system to keep your house comfortable. Before things start to heat up, schedule a professional HVAC maintenance appointment. The professionals will give your heating and air conditioning unit a thorough cleaning and look for any problems that might need repair.
By scheduling a maintenance appointment now, you can prevent expensive HVAC emergencies during the summer. Even if your unit is relatively new, professionals recommend having it serviced at least once a year.
2. Fire Up the Grill
Barbecues are a fun way to socialize and enjoy the warm weather, but did you know they can also help you keep your energy bills in check? When you cook inside, it sends your home’s temperature skyrocketing. This means your HVAC unit has to work harder to keep your space cool.
When you cook outside, it won’t affect your temperature or energy use indoors. This means switching to grilling just once or twice a week could make a dent in your summer energy bills. Use this as an opportunity to try fun new recipes on the grill or socialize with loved ones.
3. Wash Cold, Air Dry
Changing your laundry habits during the summer is another way to reduce your monthly water and energy bills. Start by switching to the cold cycle for your laundry. This uses less energy than washing your clothes on the warm or hot cycle. It also has the added benefit of being gentler on your most delicate clothing items. When you wash on the cold cycle, your colors are less likely to shrink or bleed.
Next, air dry your clothing outdoors or next to an open window. Cutting out the drying entirely will also help you reduce your energy bills. Skipping the dryer is also gentler on your clothing, as the dryer can also cause clothing to shrink or put extra stress on delicate fabrics.
4. Host a Spring Cleaning Sale
Spring and summer are the perfect time to clean out those extra items around the house you’re not using. Whether it’s clothing, decor, or entertainment items, chances are you have at least a few items around the house you don’t need anymore. Cleaning out the clutter can make your home feel more comfortable and get rid of some extra stress.
Once you’ve finished cleaning, go through your items to assess what is still usable. Then, have a big sale to make money with your extra items. There are a few ways to do this, depending on what you want to sell. If you have a big collection, you can host a yard sale and advertise around your neighborhood. If you’re selling niche or valuable items, you can use sites like eBay to sell them online. This can help you command a higher price for your more valuable pieces. Once the sale is over, donate any extra items back to your community.
5. DIY Your Home Improvement Projects
Many people use summer as a time to work on home improvement projects. If you’ve been wanting to paint your house a new color, repair the roof, or change the landscaping, summer is the perfect time to do it. There’s no need to worry about snowstorms or cold temperatures interfering with your project.
However, hiring a professional team to improve your home can quickly get expensive. Instead, try DIY’ing your home improvements when it’s safe to do so. You’ll still need to pay for the tools and the materials, but you’ll save money on labor costs. Of course, be sure to research each project thoroughly before getting started to avoid potentially costly mishaps.
6. Get Thick Curtains
One of the easiest ways to cut down on your energy bills this summer is simply by keeping the blinds closed when you can. This prevents sunlight from heating up your space, which forces your HVAC unit to work harder. Of course, there will be times when you’ll want the blinds open, but you should keep them closed in rooms you’re not using.
Invest in heavy-duty, high-quality curtains to help block the sunlight too. In addition to reducing your energy bills, thick curtains can also help you sleep better at night, which is key during daylight savings time. Choose curtains in a fun color or pattern to add some extra style to your space.
Final Thoughts
Maintaining your home during the summer can be expensive. To keep your budget in check, you’ll need to be proactive. Taking these small steps will help you save money so you can work toward other financial goals. This could mean a summer vacation or just more financial flexibility during this fun season.
