Simple tips and tricks to save energy, like keep your refrigerator full to reduce air exchange when the door is open.

Cooling Your Home

• Get a bicycle tune-up, and use your two-wheeled steed to run light errands.
• Put up a clothesline. The old-saw “sunlight is the best disinfectant” is generally used in another context, but sun and wind make for cheaper and fresher smelling laundry than any dryer sheet.
• Use ceiling, room and window fans or open windows before turning on your cooling system. A typical ceiling fan only uses about as much energy as a standard 60 Watt light bulb, but fans can make you feel 3–4°F cooler. Since a fan works by promoting convection and evaporation, they should only be powered on in occupied rooms. Also consider a whole house fan as a cheaper and more efficient alternative to air conditioning if you need extra cooling capacity.
• Use light colored curtains and blinds in the summer. Close them in the middle of the day to keep strong sunlight from heating your home. Consider thermal-drapes to block out sun on south-facing windows in the summer, which can have a dramatic impact, as can the use of light colored paint to reflect heat in porches or sun-rooms.
• Use landscaping such as trees and shrubs to shade your home, but avoid using evergreens on the south side of your home: You still want to take advantage of the warmth available from the winter sun.
• If you have a room air conditioner, make sure to rinse and clean the filter to maximize its efficiency. Room air conditioners should be on a north-facing wall or shaded side of a building when possible. Keep air conditioner units set at the highest comfortable temperature, a good starting point is 74–78°F. Set the air-conditioner to “Auto” instead of the “On” position, which keeps fan running even when you are not home. Ventilation fans such as those in kitchens, and bathrooms should be used sparingly, since they pull conditioned air out of your home. Lastly, close storm windows and doors to minimize loss of cool air, and make sure that drapes and furniture do not block vents or air returns.
• Make sure doors close properly and replace non-working doorknobs and latches. Keep the tracks on sliding glass doors clean. A dirty track can ruin the door’s seal and create gaps where heat can come in and cold air can escape.