The attached article was first printed in 2011 in YellowBlue Designs to assist home owners in lowering their energy consumption during the summer months. It still has merit for all of us and I wanted to bring it to your attention as you may find specific things to assist you in lowering monthly utility bills while still maintaining your comfort.
The North American climate is often one of extremes. So while you’re likely more than ready for the summer heat to arrive, your house may not be. Just as one can winter-proof a home by weather-stripping and providing adequate insulation and sealing, you can do a number of things to prepare for the impending warmth. By “summer-proofing” your house, you will conserve energy and reduce your reliance on mechanical air conditioning systems.
What you can do:
Switch to fluorescent bulbs: A token environmental gesture for all seasons, compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs), which last roughly ten times longer than the traditional incandescent kind, give off significantly less heat. Not only will your house be cooler (even if you forget to turn the lights off—which, of course, you should never do), but these enduring bulbs use 75 percent less energy, thereby reducing carbon dioxide. Because they last longer, using CFLs mean less bulbs will end up in the landfill each year. You should, however, recycle CFLs in the appropriate manner as indicated by your city, as they contain some mercury and could be contaminating in a landfill.
Get a fan: By installing ceiling fans in frequently used rooms, you can cultivate a breeze without blasting the ever-more-wasteful AC. Make sure to adjust existing ceiling fans so that the air is blown downwards.
If you put a fan next to your window air conditioner and keep the AC fairly low, you can move what air is being produced throughout the house.
Because the attic and roof can trap a fair amount of heat, a well-placed fan can bring air blown through windows in the lower parts of the house up to the roof, lowering the overall temperature. A good whole house fan can do the trick.
Close the curtains: Although many of us sun-starved North Americans are eager to keep curtains and blinds wide open all summer, doing this can add considerable heat to your house, creating a greater need for air conditioning. Just as passive solar design dictates that windows should be large and uncovered during winter, in summer it is advisable to keep them tightly sealed off. Realistically, you’ll likely just want to seal off windows when you’re out for the day (and ideally during the midday spike in heat) and therefore return to a cooler home.
Seal it up: Just as it is crucial to seal cracks and crevices around windows and doors to keep cold air out in winter, the same practice will prevent hot air from getting in.
Insulate: It may seem counter intuitive to insulate a place you want to cool down, but if the insulation in your ceiling and walls isn't sufficient, heat can build up and find its way into your already warming abode. So look into it.
Paint it white: While painting your house is quite the endeavor if you are moving in to a new place or are considering painting anyways, having a light color on the house’s exterior and siding will reflect heat away from the house. Darker colors can absorb heat. This, then, may work best if you live in a warmer climate, where cooling needs trump warming. (Sorry Canada).
Plant: As stated in previous posts, shading—whether natural or a built shading device—is an excellent way to provide non-mechanical cooling. Plants and trees on the south and west sides of your home will be most efficient at blocking out sunlight and keeping your house cool. A deciduous tree that loses its leaves in winter and flourishes in summer is ideal for all seasons, as it allows sun to seep into the windows when it’s cold and keeps it out when it’s blazing hot. Thank you, nature.
Clean dryer vents: If a dryer vent is clogged, not only will your clothes be linty, but your house’s temperature may suffer. A blockage can cause warm air to blow back into the room and raise the internal temperature of your home.
Keep daytime low-maintenance: If you can avoid it, use appliances like the oven, dryer and even computers sparingly during the heat of the day. Expended energy and heat will raise the temperature. Save it for evening—or, if you’re really ambitious, for early morning.
Give your AC space: If you keep appliances like lamps, televisions or a refrigerator too close to the AC unit or thermostat, the heat emitted from them could cause the air conditioner to run stronger and longer.
Happy summer!
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