‘No Sweat’ Summer Tips for Cutting Energy Bills and Pollution

Looking to beat the heat without breaking the bank? As a sweltering heat wave blankets the nation, the Alliance to Save Energy offers smart, energy-efficient tips to keep you cooler and more comfortable while cutting your energy bill and pollution.

• Tired of playing "thermostat cop" with the kids or coming home to a sweltering house on hot summer days? A programmable thermostat automatically coordinates indoor climates with daily and weekend patterns, increasing home comfort and reducing energy waste.
• South and west-facing windows admit the most heat in the summertime. Close blinds on those sides of the house during the day, or install shading devices such as trellises or awnings.
• Help prevent potential brownouts and blackouts by utility companies by shifting energy-intensive tasks such as laundry and dishwashing to off-peak energy demand hours.
• Attics and crawlspaces, exposed to extreme outdoor temperatures, can often reach temperatures of 115 degrees or higher! Adequate insulation and attic ventilation can keep you from "losing your cool."
• Cooling and heating account for almost half of the average family's energy bill. Make sure your air conditioning equipment is properly maintained with a professional tune-up — cleaning coils and checking for refrigerant leaks and proper refrigerant charging could save you the cost and inconvenience of a breakdown during the hottest days! Also clean or replace filters monthly.
• Size matters with air conditioning, but bigger is not always better! Poorly-sized air conditioning units can unnecessarily inflate your energy costs and contribute to poor indoor air quality in your home, worsening your allergies and making breathing uncomfortable. Check with your contractor or local air conditioning system retailer to properly size your unit.
• Look for the ENERGY STAR label, the symbol for energy efficiency, when shopping for room and central air conditioning systems — as well as for major appliances, lighting, and home electronics — to cut these related costs by some 30 percent. Retailers near you carry ENERGY STAR products — find them at www.energystar.gov.
• Don't let your house get "sun-burned" this summer. Cut your air conditioning load, reduce pollution, and fight your local "heat island" effect by planting leafy trees and vines around your home and installing reflective tiles on your roof.
• Go "window-shopping" at the Efficient Windows Collaborative web site, www.efficientwindows.org. You'll learn how high-performance ENERGY STAR windows can reduce average cooling costs from 15 to 35 percent in central and southern climate zones by filtering in visible light and filtering out heat waves.
• If you're out in the market for a new home, ask your builder or realtor about ENERGY STAR homes that can improve your home's resale value by $20 for every $1 reduction in utility costs while reducing pollution. Find participating builders and developers in your area, as well as a detailed list of ENERGY STAR benefits, on the web at www.energystar.gov/homes.
• Sip lemonade and think cool thoughts — like how you'll be freezing next winter and longing for summer again!