With this stifling heat in Arizona, most residents are
relying on air conditioning to survive the summer. However, there are a lot of
ways to cool down the indoor temperature of your home aside from cranking the
AC unit.
1. Keep interior doors open
Keeping the doors open stimulates air flow, making the cooling process faster and more energy efficient.
2. Use a fan, counter clock-wise
A fan does not necessarily cool down your
room; but encourages air circulation in a room. Hence, distributing the cold
air at a faster rate, creating a cool breezy wind as if the temperature is
lower.
3. Adjust AC temperature when away
Don’t turn the AC off completely because
restarting the process of cooling will take a longer time and use more
electricity. Instead, adjust the temperature 5-8°F whenever you leave home for
8 hours or longer.
4. Seal door
and window air leaks
Heat should be controlled properly to maintain the temperature of a room.
Conduct a do-it-yourself home energy audit, as explained in this article written by Department of Energy.
If any leaks and gaps are identified, use caulk or weather-stripping to seal
it.
5. Insulate your attic and air ducts
Adding an added barrier between the attic
(the hottest part of your house) and your living space helps to keep exterior
heat out, and prevent interior cold air from escaping. Air duct should be
insulated to prevent wasteful heat/cold transfer. Choose insulation material
with a R-value of R-30 to R-60.
6. Use CFLs
and LEDs instead of incandescent lights
A 100W incandescent light bulb is believed to reach 335°F; CFL at 180°F;
and LED to 87°F. Replacing the lightbulbs will not only save you money from
using less electricity and buying lesser lightbulbs, but also limits emitted
heat into your room.
7. Keep blinds closed during the day
Unwanted heat from the outdoors can be
blocked by keeping your blinds closed. Choose light color blinds, which reflect
rather than absorb the sun’s heat. Consider putting an extra layer; such as
reflective window films, window screens, shutters, drapes, or just cardboards
to help blocking out the heat.
8. Avoid using the oven/stove
Your oven and stove can heat up your
kitchen fast. You can use the grill in replacement of cooking indoors. If you
do have to use the oven/stove, turn the fan on to vent out the heat created.
9. Shade
your house
Just like parking your car under the shade, it is smart to plant some trees or
install some awnings to shade your house. Planting large deciduous trees on the
east, west, and northwest sides of your home can help reduce AC costs by up to
35%.
10. Keep your
body temperature cool
The ultimate goal of the AC system is to keep the person cool, not
necessarily the house. So, keep yourself cool by staying hydrated and taking
cold showers.
To sum it up, try to limit using heat-generating devices
during the hottest times of the day, and keep the house well insulated and
air-tight, while promoting good air flow in your house; These are the best tips
to keep your house cool during the summer.
Contact ELA Home Repairs if you need AC repairs, energy audits,
or any electrical needs at 800-368-PROS(7767) or visit http://elahomerepairs.org for more
details.
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