Energy Efficient Home Cooling

\How to cut your cooling costs.

Get maximum comfort for minimum cost by using these cool facts.  Many of the tips that keep your home cooler in warm weather will also help keep it warmer in cool weather.

1 Prevent air leaks and keep cool air inside.

• Weather-strip doors and windows.
• Caulk cracks in outside walls and foundation.
• Close the fireplace damper when not in use.

2 On hot days, close doors and windows during sunlight hours.

3 Do heat-producing activities like laundry, dishwashing and ironing in the early morning or late evening.

4 Turn off lights and appliances when not in use.

5 Well maintained freezers and refrigerators will run less and pump less hot air into the room.

• Change the gaskets if they are loose or worn.
• Open these appliances as little as possible.
• Keep the condensing units and cooling coils dust-free.

6 Close off hot spots.  When kitchen, laundry and water heater areas are behind closed doors, other rooms stay cooler.

7 Use exhaust fans in your kitchen, laundry area and bathrooms to push heat and humidity outside.

For a cooler and drier home, ventilate.

On hot days, attic temperatures can easily reach 110º F.  Install an attic fan to draw heat out of your home.

1 Use the attic fan during the day, even when the air conditioning is on.  [You can also use the fan at night to draw in cool air when the air conditioning is off.]

2 Install an automatic thermostat on your attic fan to allow it to operate even when you are away.

3 Cool nighttime temperatures provide natural air conditioning, so open windows and turn off the air conditioner.

 

Keep cool air in with insulation.

Insulation pays for itself in just a few years because it reduces energy costs for both cooling and heating.

1 Insulate above top floor ceilings with at least 6 inches of insulation.

2 Older homes can be insulated using techniques such as blown-in insulation.

3 Central air-conditioning ducts should be surrounded by 1-1/2 inch of fibrous insulation.

 

1 Don't overcool.  Temperature differences between indoors and out should be 15º or less.

2 Inspect air filters often.  Check every month during the cooling season.  Wash or replace as needed.

3 Keep the condenser clean of leaves and debris.  Be sure air flow is not obstructed.

4 Follow a service schedule on your air conditioning unit.

Air Conditioning?

To choose the most effective and economical air conditioning for your home:

1 Do a survey of your home.  Take accurate measurements.  Note exposure to the sun, number and location of windows, room use, and insulation levels.

2 Check your electric power.  A window unit rated over 7.5 amps should be on a separate electric circuit.  If in doubt, get an electrician's advice.

3 Get expert advice on how to fit equipment to your cooling needs.  Consult two or three reputable dealers or contractors.

4 Consider Energy Star® products.  Ask about BWP's rebate programs.

OTHER TIPS:

SHADE MAKERS - block the sun's heat before it reaches your home.  Exterior shading is seven times more effective than interior cooling.  Exterior shading methods include trees, trellises, awnings, shade screens, window films and window shades.  Focus your shading efforts on west and south exposures.

HEAT BLOCKERS - Use reflective roofing materials, ventilate your attic, and install ceiling insulation.

AIR MOVERS - moving air can keep your home and your body cool.  Use window fans, whole-house fans, room and ceiling fans, and evaporative coolers to achieve air motion.