Shivering in the cold, baking in the sun, bundling up to stay warm, cooling off in the pool—it’s just another typical Midwestern summer day!

Fortunately, no matter what the weather outside is doing, there are a few simple things you can do this summer to help you save money. Not only that, but these ideas will help keep your home nice and comfortable, too. Here are our top 5 energy saving tips for summer.

Tip 1: Seal Your Ceiling

A well-insulated attic is just one piece of the puzzle. To really keep your conditioned air where it belongs, it’s important to make sure your ceiling is sealed up nice and tight to prevent leakage.

And yes, you read right—your ceiling is the chief culprit when it comes to air leaks. Although most people tend to blame doors and windows for a draft, your ceiling should actually be shouldering most of the blame, especially if there are gaps, holes, or other spaces for air to escape. Find out more, then seal that ceiling.

Tip 2: Check Your Attic Insulation

When the days get muggy and hot, it can be tempting to crank that thermostat. But if your attic isn’t well insulated, your air conditioner is going to have to work a whole lot harder to keep things cool, and that’s bad news for your energy bill.

If you haven’t checked your attic insulation before, now is a great time to get up there and take a look around. Here are a few tips to help you get started.

Tip 3: Close the Curtains

Drapes and blinds are an easy way to keep heat out of your home by blocking out the sun. Believe it or not, when sunshine hits your home’s interior it can heat those spots to as much as 130 degree. And once that heat is in your home, it likes to stick around.

Before you leave for work each day, take a moment to check your windows. Closing the blinds and pulling the curtains can go a long way toward keeping your home nice and comfortable when you get home.

Tip 4: Change Your Air Filter

The changing of seasons is a great reminder that it’s time to change the air filter in your furnace. Letting an old filter sit means your HVAC system has to work harder to push the same amount of air through your house, resulting in energy inefficiency that you’ll just end up paying for.

Changing your filter regularly means your system won’t have to work as hard. And a fresh filter also means cleaner air in your home, which helps everybody breathe that much easier.

Tip 5: Install a Programmable Thermostat

You want your home to be comfortable. You also don’t want to pay for comfort you’re not there to enjoy. That’s why a programmable thermostat is such a great invention—once installed, you can set it to cool your home on your schedule, without leaving it to run all day when you’re not around.

Talk to an Energy Advisor

Looking for more tips on how to use less energy this summer? Your local Energy Advisor can help! Contact us today to learn more.