Cooling tips for your home
Learn how to keep your house cool in the summer, while also saving energy and money.
- Open your home's windows at night. Take advantage of naturally cool night air when possible,
and open multiple windows to increase cross ventilation and provide a cooling draft.
- Keep windows and doors closed during the hot part of the day.
- Shade the windows on your home. External shades and trees are best; curtains and other window
coverings also help prevent heat gain.
- Use a fan instead of air conditioning. People feel 5 degrees cooler when air around them is moving.
- Make sure your home has the appropriate amount of insulation in the attic,
walls and floors.
- Limit use of incandescent and halogen lights. About 90% of the energy used is turned into
heat and only 10% goes to providing light. Replace incandescent bulbs with
energy efficient CFLs, and start by replacing the bulbs that are
used most often. CFLs use one-third the energy of incandescent bulbs and last 10 times as long.
- On hot days, avoid using the stove and clothes dryer. Try to use an outdoor grill or
microwave oven for cooking, and dry clothes on a line or use the dryer at night.
- Set the thermostat to 78 degrees. With every degree that you lower the temperature, energy use
rises by 3%. A temperature setting of 75 degrees can cost 9% more, and a 72 degree setting
can cost 18% more.
- Keep cooling vents unobstructed. Check registers to make sure that they're not blocked by
furniture or other stuff.
- Clean filters monthly during seasons of use. Air conditioner and furnace filters trap dirt and
dust, clean the air you breathe and help these units operate more efficiently.
- Use a programmable thermostat. Set the timer to start cooling the home 30 minutes before
anyone arrives home.
Download a copy of EWEB's cooling tips (PDF)
