When the temperature rises outside this summer, use these tips to help keep your home cool without turning on the air conditioner.
KEEP BLINDS CLOSED
Up to 30% of the heat in your home comes from your windows. Shades and window coverings, especially on south and west-facing windows, canlower indoor temps by up to 20 degrees and save you 5 to 7% on your energy bill.
SET CEILING FANS TO UPDRAFT
Having ceiling fans rotate counter-clockwise helps pull warm air up toward the ceiling, making the living area cooler as well as providing air movement.
WHOLE HOUSE FANS
If you have a whole house fan, turning it on when the air cools down at night can help remove warm air.
PLACE BOX FANS IN WINDOWS
If you don’t have a whole house fan, place box fans in north and east-facing windows and doors at night to pull in cool air.
SHUT DOORS
Closing off unused rooms will keep the main living areas cooler since it is not being distributed throughout other areas of the home.
TURN ON BATHROOM AND EXHAUST FANS
Both of these help vent hot (and humid in the case of the bathrooms) air out of your home.
SWITCH TO CFL LIGHTBULBS
Incandescent lights waste 90% of the energy in the heat they emit. Changing to CFL bulbs will save you money and drop the temperature of your home a degree or two.
START GRILLING
Rather than using your stove or oven, which quickly heats up your home, use the BBQ to cook as much of your meal as possible.
ADD AWNINGS & TREES
Trees provide much needed shade, reducing the maounf of heat your home absorbs. Plants near south and west facing windows. Adding insulated window film can further reduce the heat abosorbtion. For areas where trees aren’t possible, install awnings, which can be retracted during winter months to let light in.