There are plenty of things you can do to keep your house cooler and more energy efficient in the warm weather months.
Check your air conditioners for a tight, snug fit. Seal around the edges with
weather stripping or insulation. Vacuum air conditioner filters weekly during
periods of high use, or replace if they're worn or extremely clogged.
Adjust the temperature control to keep the room no cooler than 78° F. The
colder you try to make the room, the more energy you'll use.
A strong fan will help circulate the cool air throughout your living space,
and will consume less energy than lowering the temperature on your air
conditioner's thermostat.
Clean the condenser coils at the back or bottom of your refrigerator, and
clean the door gasket to ensure a tight seal.
Defrost your freezer regularly - it'll use less energy.
Check all windows and doors for a tight seal, and help keep the cool air in
and the hot air out by weather stripping or caulking any gaps. Keeping the
storm windows in place during warm weather times will also help insulate
against the heat.
Keep the sun out. Use shades, blinds, or curtains to keep the sun's heat
out in the morning and afternoon.
Check the insulation in your attic. A properly insulated attic can save up to
15% on air-conditioning costs.
Turn your air conditioner off when you leave home. Leaving it on all day and
night does not save energy.
Use discretion - don't get in the habit of turning your air conditioner on
automatically. Try an electric fan if it's not unbearably hot, or open the
windows when there's a nice breeze.
Heating your home accounts for the majority of the energy you use. Here are a few helpful tips to increase energy efficiency in the wintertime.
The most important thing you can do to save energy in the cold weather
months is winterize your home.
Check your attic, basement, and walls for proper insulation. You could be
losing up to 60% of the heat in your home if it is not sufficiently insulated.
The attic is the most important area to insulate, as you could lose
upwards of 25% of heat through an uninsulated attic.
Check all exterior doors and windows for gaps, and seal with caulking
and/or weather stripping.
Put up your storm windows, and consider covering them with plastic from
the inside to keep any cold air from leaking in.
Keep your thermostat no higher than 68°F during the day, and 55°F
overnight or when you'll be away from home.
Close doors and heating vents in unoccupied rooms.
Insulate your water pipes. This will prevent them from freezing in the event
of a power outage, and save on hot water heating costs. Your water heater
is the second-largest energy user in your home.
Prepare yourself and your home for winter storms. Keep a flashlight with
fresh batteries, candles, and extra blankets handy. Check out our storm
preparation tips.
Consider having your home heating system checked out and cleaned by a
professional. It will run more efficiently.
If you're displaying holiday lights, remember to turn them off before you go
to bed each night.
