5 Tips to Keep You Cool During the Dog Days of Summer

Posted June 24, 2020

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.

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Excerpted from EnergyStar.gov.
Learn more at www.energystar.gov/cooling.