Hot summers in Los Angeles and all of southern California often mean using more energy trying to cool your home, which can lead to higher electric bills. Fortunately, there are several energy-efficient ways to cool your home without using additional electricity. Follow these tips from HVAC industry professionals to keep your home cooler while saving energy and money.
Keep Doors Closed 
Close the doors to rooms that are not accessed during the day. Doing so will keep the cool air confined to the areas of the home that you are actually occupying. You will save both energy and money by not trying to cool the entire house during the day when outside temperatures are highest.
Install Reflective Film
Reflective film is applied directly to the windows in your home. It reflects heat from the sun away from the house. The film is available at most hardware stores and is easily installed. Apply it to all the windows that directly face the sun during the day to keep your home’s interior noticeably cooler during summer.
Keep Curtains & Blinds Closed
As with reflective film, curtains and blinds can keep out the sun as well. Keep curtains and blinds closed during the day when the sun is hottest. Doing so will help your home stay cooler so that your air conditioning system does not have to run constantly.
Open Windows
It is a good time to turn off the air conditioning and open some windows during the evening and at night when outside temperatures are cooler. The cool outside air coming in will naturally keep your house cooler and more comfortable. Take advantage of the lower temperatures to cool your home.
Give Appliances a Break
Many appliances and electronics generate heat that can make the house feel warmer. Ovens, dishwashers, and dryers especially will warm up your home. Give these appliances a break and avoid using them during the day when outside temperatures are highest.
Insulate
Many people associate insulation with keeping a home warm. However, insulation is also an excellent way to keep a house cool by keeping out heat during the summer. Properly installed insulation will keep the cool air in so that it does not escape outside. Over time, by keeping the cool air in and the heat out, insulation will help you conserve energy and save money on cooling costs.
Landscape
Exterior landscaping can help lower a home’s interior temperature. Trees around the home provide natural shade that can block the sun’s intense heat and keep your home cooler during the hot summer months. Landscaping with strategically placed trees and bushes will give your yard additional appeal while keeping things cool inside.
In general, you can best keep your home cool by keeping heat out. It takes more energy to cool your house down once the temperature has risen too high than it does to maintain a cooler temperature with the above tips. Try any of the above tips to keep your home cool this summer without turning up the air conditioning.