Whether you recently bought a home or have long been a homeowner in the Phoenix area, upgrading your house for energy efficiency can be essential for staying comfortable in the Valley’s scorching heat while saving on energy costs during the summer days.Hefty energy bills can take a toll on residents’ wallets, especially when they add up on top of your mortgage and other monthly expenses. A recent study by provider comparison website Texas Energy Ratings found that the average Arizona household pays about an extra $100 on their monthly electricity bill during the summer — the highest increase in the U.S. and nearly three times the national average.But don’t panic. There are some effective strategies you can implement at home to reduce these expenses while not necessarily compromising comfort.Here are some practical home improvement tips, ranging from simple DIY projects to more advanced upgrades, that can help homeowners reduce energy bills during the summer.For nature lovers: how landscaping can help cool your homeAccording to Energy Saver, a consumer resource for saving energy created by the U.S. Department of Energy, planting trees, shrubs, and groundcover plants around your home is an effective method to keep your home cool during the summer in Arizona.Planting trees with high, spreading crowns in front of your home to shade your roof and block out sunlight coming in through your window can significantly reduce how much your home heats up during the summer, thus lowering your cooling costs, said Salt River Project spokesperson Cassaundra Donahoe. Moreover, shade trees can improve air quality without using a lot of water, according to SRP.The energy provider company offers two free desert-adapted trees to customers who attend a free workshop hosted by Trees Matter.Some shade trees best adapted to the desert environment include the Palo Verde, the Native Mesquite and the Lilac Chaste, among others. To learn more about the program and shade trees available, customers can visit srpnet.com/energy-savings-rebates/home/shade-tree-workshop.Shrubs and groundcover plants can also contribute to shade the ground and pavement around the home, cooling the air before it reaches your walls and windows.Pro tip: Planting shade trees on the south side of your home will shade your roof in the summer and allow warmth from the sun to reach your home in the winter.More:How high is your Arizona electricity bill this summer?Start from the windowsFrom choosing the appropriate curtain color to building your own shade screens and installing awnings, there are many things you can add to your windows to help you stay cool while adding personality to your home.Choose medium-colored curtains: Light curtains can let too much sunlight through, while darker colors absorb more heat, attracting it into your home. Medium-color curtains will be your best option to keep your home cool. For an extra cooling effect, choose curtains with white plastic backings to reduce heat gain.Install awnings: Awnings on south- and west-facing windows can also help create shade and keep your home cool.Use window coverings: Putting shade screens or blackout shades on your windows and using them when you’re not home or don’t need much sunlight can also bring big savings on your energy bill. If you want to install your own shade screens, SRP has a step-by-step guide on how to do it. “Whether you do it yourself or you work with a contractor, it’s a really great way to save about 25% on your energy bill and prevent that heat from entering your home,” Donahoe said.Window film: Investing in a reflective window film can help reduce heat gain f …
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