SUMMER TIPS

Tip #1

Block exterior heat. Plant trees and shrubs to shade outside windows and walls.

Tip #2

Turn your thermostat up in the summertime. For every degree you turn your thermostat higher, you reduce your cooling costs by about 8 percent. (A 78Þ setting uses 35 percent less energy than a 70Þ setting.)

Tip #3

Keep doors and windows closed to protect the cooled, comfortable air in your home. Before you open doors and windows to take advantage of free comfort, be sure the temperature and humidity outside have dropped.

Tip #4

Don’t remove storm windows or doors in summer if air conditioning is used often. These windows and doors help insulate the home and keep the air inside cooler longer.

Tip #5

If you have central air conditioning, direct the registers up in summer because cold air does not rise. Also make sure that your furniture and drapes are not blocking air conditioning registers or window units.

Tip #6

Try to cook early in the day or late in the evening when it is cooler, and cook outdoors when possible. Use the exhaust fan sparingly to get rid of unwanted heat in the kitchen.

Tip #7

Fans use only about one–tenth of the energy that air conditioning does. So use fans to make people feel cooler. However, if no one is in the room to enjoy the air movement, the fans may be adding heat to the room. In reality, fans do not lower the room temperature. Be sure to turn fans off when no one is using them.

Tip #8

Dry your clothes outdoors on sunny days.