Summer is fast approaching. Bring on pool days, baseball games and backyard barbecues! While the summer months can bring about many great activities, it can make those utility bills go up, up, up. To keep those monthly statements low, Grant & Co. homebuilders recommend making a few small adjustments to your home.

Curtains and windows
Natural light is all the rage. Studies show that natural light can assist in avoiding seasonal depression, help you sleep better, and of course, boost vitamin D. However, allowing too much natural light in your home during the summer months can have you shelling out much more than usual on your utility bill. To enjoy the beautiful, large windows like those featured in our Keystone home design, our Grant & Co. homebuilders recommend making a few changes.

Adding curtains that you can pull closed while you are gone during the day can work wonders in keeping your home cool. Don’t love that look? Consider only adding them to the windows that are in line of direct sunlight or remove them after the hottest months of the year have come and gone.

If you are looking to really save, install double pane windows. With two layers of glass, double pane windows provide a thicker division between the outside air and the inside of your home. When making the switch, Grant & Co. recommends those with the ENERGY STAR label to best control the internal climate of your humble abode. It’s important to note that double pane windows come standard on all the homes we build.

Appliances and thermostats
Upgrading your microwave, stove and refrigerator to those that boast the ENERGY STAR label is a great way to save in the long run. In addition, installing a smart thermostat will help keep costs low. We are all very busy, so remembering to adjust the temperature manually every time we leave the house is unrealistic. A smart thermostat can turn off or increase temperature at certain times of the day all on its own - one less thing on your to-do list when getting the kids out the door! To take a peek at a few smart thermostat options, check out this article from the experts over at CNet. Don’t let the cost scare you! According to Energy Sage, this adjustment can save you up to $180 per year, meaning many will pay for themselves in less than one year.

There you have it - a few simple ways to save this summer. If you are looking to build an energy efficient home, the Grant & Co. Design Center is a great place to start. Our clients can rest assured that the products they select for their new dream home come from Grant & Company’s vast network of trusted brands such as Moen Faucets, Mansfield Toilets, Porter Paints, Boral Brick, Rivertree Hardwood, Whirlpool Appliances, Shaw Carpet and Emser Tile among others. Whether your new home is in a Grant community in Arlington, Bartlett, Collierville, Tennessee; or Olive Branch or Hernando, Mississippi, the Design Center is your first step in making your new house a home.