Tips for a Cool and Energy Efficient Home in Summer
16 Jul 2015
Summer is here and so is the heat. Fear not, because this summer you can stay cool and be mindful of the planet.
Many of the tips listed below are easy to integrate into your life and are free or low-cost, even saving you money in the long-term.- Replace incandescent light bulbs with LED light bulbs. While the first benefit is energy savings, you will also be keeping your home cooler. Incandescent bulbs are inefficient because most of the energy is converted to heat instead of light. LED lights produce the same quality of light as incandescent bulbs, but are more efficient because they produce very little heat. LEDs are the coolest lighting option around.
- Open your windows at night and shut them during the day. Take advantage of the large temperature difference we experience here in Colorado. Open your windows at night to let cool air fill your home and shut them during the day to seal in cool air.
- Use a clothesline instead of the dryer. You benefit by not only saving money and energy, but by not creating extra heat within your home.
- Install and use window coverings. Awnings, sun shades and blinds keep direct sunlight from heating up the inside of your home.
- Make sure your home is well insulated and properly air sealed. On a hot summer day, close all the windows and doors of your home for a day. If your home does not stay cool, you likely have a leaky and/or under-insulated home. This is very common in Boulder County, since many of our homes are older. Properly insulating and air sealing your home will keep you cool in the summer, warm in the winter, and save money all year long.
