5 Ways to Chill Out This Summer
Looking to keep your utility costs in check this summer without sacrificing comfort? Here are a few tips to help you keep your cool all season long.
1. Keep the Heat Out
- Improve insulation between your attic and roof, if needed.
- If you are upgrading your windows, consider ENERGY STAR-certified windows.
- Use your window coverings, add new ones, or adjust blinds to keep the sun out.
2. Keep the Cool In
- Seal and insulate the HVAC system ducts in your attic.
- Find air leaks around your house and seal them with spray foam, caulk, and weather-stripping. Sealing and insulating your home can reduce your annual energy usage for lower utility bills.
3. Maintain Your Air Conditioning System
- Schedule a summer air conditioning system tune up.
- Change your air filter every three months.
- Use a programmable thermostat. Set it 8-10 degrees higher when you’re away and 4-6 degrees higher when you’re asleep and you’ll save about $200 on your annual utility costs.
4. Be a Fan of Fans
- Use an ENERGY STAR-certified ceiling fan and raise your thermostat two degrees. It’ll lower cooling costs by 15%.
- Use an ENERGY STAR-certified vent fan after a shower to reduce humidity.
5. Look for the ENERGY STAR
- If your central air conditioning unit is more than 12 years old, replacing it with a model that has earned the ENERGY STAR could cut your cooling costs by up to 30%.
Excerpted from EnergyStar.gov.
Learn more at www.energystar.gov/cooling.
