Utah’s brutal summers combined with the high cost of running the air conditioning can be a big financial burden for Utah households on a budget. Whether you’re in need of expensive air conditioning repairs, or your monthly energy bill is giving you grief, there are ways to beat the Utah heat without breaking the bank.

Get Rid of Leaks

Utah summers can get up to 100 degrees Fahrenheit during the peak of summer, so if hot air is infiltrating your home through cracks in the windows and doors, you’re probably losing money when you run the air conditioning. A good way to tell where air might be leaking in is to hold a candle or lighter up to different places around the edges of doors and windows. If you see the flame or smoke flickering, that’s a sign that precious cool air is leaking out of your home. If getting new doors or windows is too costly right now, you can weather strip your home yourself. Plastic or rubber weather strips are cost-effective options.

It’s also important to seal up leaks surrounding a window air conditioner. Not only will these leaks run up your monthly energy bill, but they can also cause the buildup of moisture, which can start growing mold and deteriorating the window.

Using Fans

Central air conditioning cools the whole house down, even if you’re not using every room. Getting portable fans makes it possible to cool only the rooms that are in use, which will allow you to turn the air conditioning down, or even off. If you already have ceiling fans, opt to use these over air conditioning as often as you can. Unlike with central air conditioning, you can simply turn the ceiling fan off when you leave the room, which will help cut back on your energy bill.

Use the Great Outdoors to Your Advantage to Avoid Payday Loans in Utah

You don’t need an expensive pool membership to stay cool in Utah summers. Utah’s natural creeks, rivers, lakes, and streams are a great way to beat the heat and have fun at the same time. Going for a swim outdoors is a good option for families on a budget in particular, since school is out for the summer. Turn the air conditioning down, put on your swimsuit, and head to the nearest watering hole.

These tips are a good start for saving money in the summer, but they may not be enough for everyone. That’s why 1st Choice Money Center is here to help you make it through the sweltering summer with our short-term loan products. We offer title loans, personal loans, signature loans, and more. At 1st Choice Money Center, we care about getting you back on your feet, which is why we offer these alternatives to payday loans in Utah. The predatory nature of payday loans means that by taking one out, you’re running the risk of ending up in more financial trouble than when you started. Put your mind at ease by taking out a loan with 1st Choice Money Center today.