Operating an air conditioner all day long during Las Vegas heat waves causes expensive spikes on your monthly energy bills. To help you beat the heat and the bills, take a look at these 5 additional ways to stay cool:

1. Program your thermostats.  Programmable thermostats can be set to a few degrees warmer during work and school hours to prevent needless A/C use, and then also set to automatically cool the home to a more comfortable temperature about an hour before everyone arrives back. This type of system can save the typical homeowner about $180 in cooling costs every year.
2. Use ceiling fans.  Ceiling fans are a timeless way to keep a space feeling cool. When spinning counter-clockwise, these simple machines produce a wind chill effect that forces denser and cooler air downwards to make the room feel significantly cooler. 
3. Close blinds and shades during the day.  Direct sunlight on your windows and glass doors can lead to major heat gains that are uncomfortable and costly. Prevent against such needless excess heat by closing your blinds and shades throughout the day. For extra shade and the reduction of heat gain, consider installing outdoor awnings or solar screens and place potted trees and plants in front of windows that are in direct line with the sun's daily movement.
4. Spray a light mist of water on yourself.   Not everyone can have quick access to a cool pool on a hot day, or, for even those who do, it's not always an appropriate time to just jump in. Luckily, you can simulate the cool feeling of water evaporating off your skin with just a little misting from a spray bottle. You can opt for pure water or even add some essential oils for a more refreshing mist concoction.
5. Add Las Vegas home insulation.  A well-insulated attic prevents your home from gaining excess heat during the summer and losing interior heat during the winter. This reduces how often and how hard your heating and cooling equipment has to operate for as much as of a 40% reduction on your annual energy bills. In addition to adding Las Vegas home insulation in your attic, it's also important to inspect and add Las Vegas home insulation as needed around windows, doors, and in crawlspaces below your main flooring. 

For more information about Las Vegas home insulation, and to schedule your installation appointment, contact First Quality Roofing & Insulation today at 702-262-7847.