Staying cool is expensive. In a hot climate like Houston, the average family spends about $600 a year on cooling. But costs vary significantly within regions. Save money on energy bills by making energy-efficient and weatherization upgrades — like adding insulation, incorporating a radiant barrier, and installing solar ventilation — to reduce your energy usage and improve your home’s comfort.

• • Insulation. Reduce your energy bills by up to 50% just by increasing the amount of insulation in your home. Insulation saves you money, increases home comfort, and protects the environment by reducing energy use. Unless your home was constructed with upgraded energy-efficiency materials, adding insulation to your home will likely reduce your utility bills. A well-insulated home isn’t just good at staying warm; insulation also keeps indoor spaces cool for longer, without using any extra energy. Energy conserved is money saved.

  • Radiant barrier. Installation of a radiant barrier in new and existing homes is one of the easiest, most cost effective ways to reduce summer heat gain and winter heat loss. Especially in the hot and humid Houston climate, installation of a radiant barrier — either in the attic or as part of the roofing system — can save you up to 17% on energy bills.

  • Solar ventilation. Letting your attic breathe is an important part of maintaining a healthy and energy-efficient home. Hot attic temperatures devastate the life of your roof, your home’s comfort level, and energy costs. Solar attic fans and vents are a viable solution to tackle problems caused by the extreme heat inside your attic. Solar roof vents save you about 30% on energy costs and pay for themselves in roughly 3 years.

Here are 10 sensible ways to save you money and stay cool in Houston

1. 1. Replace your old air conditioner. Replacing a 10-year-old central AC unit with an Energy Star® model can cut your cooling costs by up to 50 percent. This is especially true in hot, humid climates like Houston, TX. A new, more energy-efficient HVAC system could pay for itself in as little as 5 years.

   2. Clean or change AC filters monthly or as recommended. A dirty air filter causes your HVAC system to work harder and use more energy. Dirty air filters are the number one cause of air conditioning breakdowns in Houston, TX. The EPA recommends that you change or clean out your filters each month to keep your HVAC system running efficiently. The agency also recommends cleaning your air conditioner’s evaporator and condenser coils.

   3. Switch to LED lighting. Quality LED light bulbs last longer, are more durable, and offer comparable or better light quality than other types of lighting. LED lights use at least 75 percent less energy, and last up to 25 times longer than incandescent lighting. Also, be sure to turn off lights when you leave a room.

   4. Turn off kitchen, bath, and other exhaust fans within 20 minutes after you are done cooking or bathing. It is important to turn exhaust fans off when they are not serving a useful purpose. When replacing exhaust fans, consider installing high-efficiency, low-noise models.

   5. Block out the sun with window coverings. Keep blinds, drapes, and curtains closed during the hottest part of the day to help prevent the sun’s rays from elevating the temperature in your house. The Department of Energy says smart management of window coverings can reduce heat gain by up to 77 percent. Window coverings can help minimize energy loss and lower your energy bills. Better yet, use awnings, solar screens, or vegetation to keep heat from getting to the windows in the first place, suggests the EPA.

   6. Use ceiling fans to help cool your room. The windchill effect makes you feel a few degrees colder so you can turn your thermostat up by 4 degrees, and feel just as cool. Your HVAC system costs an average of 36 cents an hour to run, compared to a ceiling fan’s 1 cent per hour. So combining these cooling methods is another way to save money on your energy bill.

   7. Install a programmable thermostat. Setting your cooling system 4 to 6 degrees warmer when you’re away at work or on vacation can cut 5 to 20 percent off your energy bill. The smaller the difference between the inside and outside temperatures, the lower your energy use and costs.

   8. Seal air leaks. Your AC air ducts are one of the most important systems in your Houston home and, if the ducts are poorly sealed or insulated, they are likely contributing to higher energy bills. Ducts that leak cooled air into unconditioned spaces can add hundreds of dollars a year to your heating and cooling bills. Also look for small gaps near doors and windows, recessed lighting, baseboards, outlets, and access panels. Use caulk to seal up the gaps and eliminate drafts. Air leaks in your home make it harder to maintain a consistent temperature.

   9. Tune and clean your AC unit regularly. An air conditioner’s filters, coils, and fins require regular maintenance for the unit to function effectively and efficiently. Neglecting necessary maintenance ensures a steady decline in air conditioning performance while energy use steadily increases. A poorly maintained air conditioner uses 10 to 30 percent more energy and has a shorter life. Central AC compressors last an average of 10 to 12 years. Proper maintenance can extend the life of your compressor to 20 years. 

   10. Insulate your attic. You may be able to reduce your energy bills by up to 50% just by increasing the amount of insulation in your home. Insulation saves you money, increases home comfort, and protects the environment by reducing energy use.