Eco-Friendly Summer Cooling Tips

The dog days of summer are here and the heat is on. Keeping our houses cool with air conditioners costs Americans about $11 billion a year. And those air conditioners release about 100 million tons of carbon dioxide into the air annually -- two tons for each home that has one. Looking for ways to stay cool this summer and reduce your carbon footprint and energy bill? Here are a few simple and inexpensive tips to help:

• Fans and Ceiling Fans: Fans don’t use much energy, but when air is circulating, it feels much cooler. Ceiling fans are best, but a good portable fan can be very effective as well.
• Shades, drapes, or blinds: Close blinds, shades and draperies facing the sun to keep the sun’s heat out and help fans or air conditioners cool more efficiently.
• Internal Heat: The most common sources of internal heat gain are appliances, electronic devices, and lighting. Be aware from where the heat is coming. By reducing the amount of heat in your home, you will have to use less energy to cool it.
• Plants: Deciduous trees planted on the south and west sides will keep your house cool in the summer and allow the sunlight to warm the house during the winter. Plant trees or shrubs to shade air conditioning units, but not block the airflow.
• Humidity: Humidity makes room air feel warmer, so reduce indoor humidity. Minimize mid-day washing and drying clothes, showering, and cooking.

Summerize Your Home

Americans spend more than $22 billion a year and use a whopping 183 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity to cool their homes with air conditioning, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Remember, electricity prices tend to rise with the temperature, but you can trim your energy bills and still stay comfortable. Think "summerize". Many of the same weatherization products you use in the fall to protect your home, like weatherstripping, can work well in the summer, too.

• Hot summer heat can invade your home just like cold drafts in the winter. The most common area for air to penetrate a home is around window and door frames. Plug up air leaks with weatherstripping around the frame and use special door bottom seals for the floor. There are a variety of weatherstrip options, made from different materials and for an array of uses, so be sure to choose the correct weatherstripping for your project.
• Window air conditioning units can let in hot air and more. A poorly insulated window air conditioning unit can provide a way in for insects, dust and pollen. There are a variety of products to seal your window air conditioning unit that can be customized to the size and shape you need to stop cold air from escaping and bugs from entering your home.
• Home energy bills can rise with the thermometer. The hotter it gets outside, the harder your air conditioning works and the higher your electric bill soars. Weatherizing your home will help control the amount of cold air flowing out of and hot air entering your home.
• Year-round energy savings are a plus. Insulation is by far your best barrier to cold and hot air, providing savings throughout the seasons. Consider insulating your attic, walls and basement this summer.
• Warm air can sneak in through hidden places. Ideally, the wall cavity is filled with insulation to stop air leaks between the exterior cladding and walls of your home. Regardless if your home does or does not have insulation in the walls, hot summer air often enters the home around faceplates and wall sockets.
• Cold air can seep out of the chimney. Many homeowners enjoy their fireplaces throughout the cold winter days, but forget to close the flue when warm summer air returns. Don’t forget to close the flue.