Get Your House in Shape for Summer
Key Points
- Programmable thermostats help to match cooling needs to your family’s schedule.
- Fans and dehumidifiers help to increase comfort by reducing humidity levels and maintaining steady airflow.
- When replacing cooling equipment, choose ENERGY STAR certified, high-performance models.
While air conditioning is often critical to the comfort of you and your family in summer, the higher energy costs can sometimes put a strain on your family budget. Do not despair, there are a number of things you can do to conserve energy and improve the energy efficiency of your home and your air conditioning system, including the following:
- Set your thermostat to a higher temperature in the summer.
- Match cooling needs to your family’s schedule by installing a programmable thermostat. They typically offer savings of 10% to 15% without compromising comfort.
- Replace the filter on your air conditioner at the start of the cooling season and each month thereafter. Dirty filters restrict airflow and cause the system to work harder, increasing energy use.
- Plug air leaks in your home; weather strip and caulk leaky doors and windows and install foam gaskets behind outlet covers.
- Check insulation levels. If necessary, add insulation in attics and crawl spaces. This will help conserve energy and improve indoor comfort.
- Landscape for energy efficiency. Leafy trees and shrubs placed on the south and west sides of your home provide cooling shade during peak daytime heat.
- Reduce heat buildup by keeping blinds and curtains closed on windows that are exposed to direct sunlight.
- Fans and dehumidifiers use less energy than air conditioners and can help to increase comfort by reducing humidity levels and maintaining steady airflow.
- When replacing air conditioners or other cooling equipment, choose ENERGY STAR qualified high-performance units. ENERGY STAR air conditioners are 15% more efficient than standard models.
This article previously appeared in the Richmond DPU The Gas Advantage newsletter, and is used with permission.
Living Lean and Green
Reducing energy waste can provide homeowners with significant long-term financial benefits. After all, the typical U.S. household spends $1,000 to $2,000 per year on energy bills. In addition to saving money, reducing energy use is also good for the environment. Home energy
