5 Tips to Keep You Cool During the Dog Days of Summer
Summer’s here, but while the temperature is rising, your energy costs don’t have to. Here are a few tips to help you keep your cool and your energy costs in check.
1. Keep the Heat Out
- Improve insulation between your attic and roof.
- 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.
- The right roof can do a lot to keep the heat out. Consider ENERGY STAR-certified roof products.
2. Keep the Cool In
- Seal and insulate the cooling 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 save you up to $200 in annual utility bills.
3. Maintain Your Cooling System
- Schedule a summer cooling system tune up.
- Change your air filter every three months.
- Use a programmable thermostat. Set it seven degrees higher when you’re away and four degrees higher when you’re asleep to save about $180.
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 14%.
- Use an ENERGY STAR-certified vent fan after a shower to reduce humidity.
5. Look for the ENERGY STAR logo
- 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 30%.
- Replace those old, hot incandescent light bulbs with much cooler ENERGY STAR-certified light bulbs.
Turn to the experts. Contact your local HVAC contractor today.
Remember to visit our Facebook page for ongoing heating and cooling tips, promotions, and new HVAC product information.
More tips from the blog here …
Excerpted from EnergyStar.gov.
Learn more at www.energystar.gov/cooling.
