Stress-free tips for keeping cool in your first home

(NC) Experiencing your first heat wave as a new homeowner can feel overwhelming. The rising temperatures outside may have you second-guessing your thermostat settings and how this will affect your energy use and monthly bills.

But staying comfortable doesn’t have to mean wasting energy. With a few thoughtful adjustments, you can take the guesswork out of cooling your home. You don’t have to get it perfect; every little effort helps. Here are some simple tips from the energy efficiency experts at Enbridge Gas Ontario to help you beat the heat:

• A cooler home starts with a little shade. Direct sunlight can quickly raise indoor temperatures. By closing your curtains, blinds or shades during the day, especially on south and west-facing windows, you can keep your home naturally cooler.
• A smart thermostat helps manage cooling when you need it most. By setting an automated schedule, you can reduce cooling when the house is empty and adjust the temperature remotely using your phone. This keeps your home comfortable without using unnecessary energy.
• Keep the cool indoors. Cool air can easily slip out through small gaps around doors and windows. Sealing these areas by caulking or weatherstripping helps keep cool air inside where you need it and warm, humid air outside where it belongs.
• Easy comfort: all season long. Your air conditioner works best when it’s well-maintained. Clean or change your air filters every month during the summer and keep the outdoor air condenser unit clear of leaves or debris so that air can flow freely.
• Make sure to check your attic. Heat often enters the home from above. A well-insulated and properly ventilated attic helps prevent heat from moving into upper floors and keeps your home more comfortable overall. If your attic doesn’t have insulation, installing some is a relatively inexpensive and quick project that will help you regulate your home temperature throughout the year.

Applying these tips gives you more control of your home’s energy use. By focusing on some simple efficiencies, you can reduce your costs, keep your air conditioner running at its best and set yourself and your family up for a comfortable summer. Find more tips on staying comfortable and managing energy use at enbridgegas.ca/ontario.

Attention Editors: This content is reserved for distribution in Ontario only.