Save Money on Air Conditioning in Your Home

In these hot summer months, it becomes a necessity to crank up the AC and keep yourself cool. But how do you effectively cool down your home without breaking the bank? Read on for some helpful tips to keep your cool without sacrificing all your cash.

Keep Air Filter Clean- A dirty air filter makes your AC work harder and use more energy, which translates to a higher electric bill. Changing your air filter every three months will help keep your air conditioning unit from having to work overtime to cool your house.

Invest in a Smart Thermostat- Thanks to modern technology, several “smart thermostats” now on the market can learn your household’s schedule over time and adjust the AC and heat accordingly. Also, these thermostats offer smartphone apps that allow you to adjust the temperature even when you’re not at home. Now that’s smart!

Buy an Energy-Efficient AC Unit- Central air conditioning units marked with the Energy Star symbol are designed to use about 14% less energy than minimum government standards. Not only that, but energy-efficient air conditioning units may qualify for a tax credit, increasing your savings even more!

How do you plan to keep your home cool this summer? Let us know your AC lifehacks in the comments section.

Grilling Tips for BBQ Season

Summer is upon us and with it comes barbecue grilling season. When you gather friends and family around and fire up the grill this summer, keep these handy tips in mind:

Don’t forget to preheat- Like an oven, your grill needs a little head start before you try to cook anything on it. Preheat your grill for about 15-25 minutes to ensure that the temperature will be high enough to kill any bacteria on your meats. A nicely preheated grill will keep the insides of your grillables succulent and juicy while searing the outside and improving the flavor of the meat.

Brush as you go- The best time to use your grill brush is while it’s hot, so grab your wire grill brush and go to town after you’ve preheated but before you begin grilling the current meal. Then brush again once you have finished using the grill. Simple!

Skip cooking spray- To ensure a non-stick surface, you can oil your preheated grill by rubbing a paper towel coated in vegetable oil over the rack with a pair of tongs, but whatever you do, don’t use cooking spray on a hot grill, as that can be potentially hazardous.

Practice food safety- To avoid an unfortunate food poisoning situation, watch out for cross-contamination between raw and cooked foods by using separate cutting boards and platters, and always refrigerate meats when you are marinating them.

Follow these helpful hints and you will be crowned Grill Master by your friends and family!