Unprecedented heat waves can leave you hot and bothered, even with the AC blasting. That’s because every time you crank up the AC, your utility bills spike to match the blistering temperatures outside. How long can you keep paying these premium prices?
Your little air conditioner that could is under a lot of pressure these days, and it might not be enough to handle today’s oppressive heat. Retrofitting your home and budget may be an answer to climate change’s effects on your finances.
Why Can’t You Just Borrow Money and Be Done with It?
Online loans can conveniently boost your budget, so you have more money to handle urgent expenses. But they also don’t target the real source of your financial woes: ongoing energy costs due to extreme heat. These issues are monthly problems, and there’s no way you can borrow money every month to handle expected bills.
So, what role does an online loan play in your utility bills? Reserve them for emergencies.
Let’s say a hidden plumbing leak causes your water consumption to quadruple in one month. Not only do you have to deal with this unexpected spike, but you also must call out for a plumber to repair the leak.
If your emergency fund can’t handle both expenses at once, you may visit a website like MoneyKey to learn about online loans. If they sound helpful, you can try to apply for a loan online.
The ongoing cost of battling rising heat, on the other hand, isn’t an emergency like the one shared above. The online loan experts at MoneyKey recommend checking out their partner SpringFour, a self-service tool that connects borrowers with free, local resources that help reduce utility costs, among other expenses.
How to Retrofit Your House for Extreme Heat
Your biggest fight against the cost of climate change is insulation. A well-sealed house keeps the hot air out, so your air conditioner doesn’t have to work as hard to keep your house cool.
Small Jobs and Habits:
You can improve your insulation with very little investment. All you need is some weather stripping or caulking and a dry afternoon to seal drafts around your windows and doors. This prevents some of the energy loss from these points in your home.
You can help reduce energy loss by closing your blinds to shut out the sun and its greenhouse effect. However, your thermostat might promise the biggest savings for zero cost. The Department of Energy recommends setting your thermostat to 78°F while you’re home and 88°F while you’re away at work. This simple habit could save as much as 10 percent on your AC costs.
Bigger Investments:
Your choice of window could cut the energy loss from windows and doors, which accounts for approximately 30 percent of the energy used by your home. Retrofitting your home with energy-efficient, three-paned windows creates a more effective barrier between your cool rooms and the stifling outdoors.
Another big job is replacing outdated insulation in your attic and walls. If you live in an older home, your insulation may not reflect today’s energy codes, so it may be letting out more AC than you think. According to one study, adding new insulation delivers energy savings of 10 to 45 percent.
Bottom Line:
The more money you have to pour into renovations, the more energy savings you can enjoy. Start with the easy stuff first. Then, consider how you can tweak your budget to save towards these major renovations, and learn about government programs that help you retrofit your home on a budget.
