Keeping your Sunrise home cool over the summer isn’t just about comfortable living, it’s about keeping your monthly costs low, too. Windows, fans, blinds and landscaping all have the potential to have a big impact on your monthly expenses. So, what simple things can you do to keep your home as cool as possible during these hot summer months in New Orleans? Here are some ideas!  

• Set the thermostat at 70° to 75°F when you're home, 80°F when you're not, and don't turn it off completely before leaving the house (it can cost more to cool your home back down once it overheats).

• Unplug your electronic devices when not in use. This is a simple task yet difficult to remember!

• Try to hold off on activities that generate heat, like baking and dishwashing, until the evening. It might be inconvenient at first, but with a nice routine set in place, it can be very easy.

• Install white window shades, drapes, or blinds to reflect heat away from the house. Close curtains on south- and west-facing windows during the day.

• When using ceiling fans, keep the thermostat set at 78 degrees (F) or more. And don’t air-condition empty/unused rooms.  This is unnecessary and wasteful.

• Take showers instead of baths to reduce hot water use.

• Wash only full loads of dishes and clothes. Sometimes just being mindful of these types of tasks at home is all you need to start a positive habit.

• Avoid landscaping with lots of unshaded rock, cement, or asphalt on the south or west sides because it increases the temperature around the home and radiates heat to the home after the sun has set.

  For more information about Sunrise Homes, call Miranda at 985.639.1958 or visit sunrisehomes.net. Drop us a line with feedback or questions. Don’t forget to check out our Facebook page, too!