 |
|
|
Summer Energy Saving Tips Improving your home’s building envelope is the best way to reduce energy use and help your home stay cool. Use caulk or foam to seal any cracks or openings that let outside air enter the home. Check weather stripping around exterior doors and on doors that lead to a garage. Learn how to seal your home properly with the on-line Guide to Energy Star Home Sealing or contact Boone REMC for a free information packet about home sealing. • Close drapes or blinds during the day to keep heat producing sunlight out. • Use fans in occupied rooms to reduce air-conditioning costs. • Clear the areas around outdoor air conditioning units and heat pumps so they can work efficiently. Keep tall grass, landscaping and other items at least two feet away from your equipment. • If you use window air conditioners, make sure the window opening around the unit is tightly sealed. Clean the filter on a regular basis. • Don’t set your thermostat at a colder setting than usual when you turn on your air conditioner. In most cases, this will not cool your home any faster and could result in excessive cooling and unnecessary expense. • Avoid using the stove or oven on a hot day. Instead, use the microwave, grill outdoors or throw together a cold summer meal. • If your home has a fireplace, make sure the damper is closed. • Clean your refrigerator coils, either at the bottom of the unit or behind the unit. Clean coils will help your refrigerator operate more efficiently and produce less heat. • If you have a dry crawl space, cover and seal the vents to prevent hot, humid air from entering your home. • When using the air conditioner, check your windows on a regular basis to make sure they close properly. Locking the windows is often the best way to keep windows closed tight. • Clean your registers and return air grilles on a regular basis. • Visit the Energy Advisor section of our website to learn more for more energy conservation and energy efficiency.
|
