Official summer is almost here. As the temperatures continue to heat up, it’s time to consider the many different ways in which you can cool your home without heating up the planet. Here are a few tips for conserving energy while cooling your home:

• Open windows and shades in the cool nighttime hours, and close them during the day. Use fans instead of air conditioning as much as possible. Use a ceiling fan to cool the room you’re using. Some turn off automatically when you leave!

• If you feel that you must use an air conditioner, set the thermostat at 78 degrees for optimal comfort and energy efficiency and when you turn on the air conditioning, decrease the temperature incrementally rather than turning it to a very cold setting immediately. You could also install a timer for your room air conditioning (or use a programmable thermostat if you have central air) and set it to turn off when you are gone. It is also important to clean your air conditioner filters every month, clean outdoor fins annually, and keep your cooling system well tuned (have it professionally maintained).

• A few outside projects can help keep your inside cooler. Planting deciduous trees on the southern and western sides of your house helps provide shade in summer. You could also install shutters, reflective shades or awnings on the southern and western sides of your house to prevent more of the sun’s heat from getting in. Trellises alongside homes are a beautiful way to provide shade and allow for air circulation.

For more information and ideas on how to conserve energy in your home, visit www.enactwi.org. Check back here next week for new tips from EnAct to help you step more lightly on the environment. EnAct, a program of Madison Environmental Group, Inc., encourages sustainable living and strengthens communities by creating Environmental Action Teams in neighborhoods, community organizations and workplaces. If you are interested in starting your own EnAct team, please contact us at enact@madisonenvironmental.com or (608) 204-2888.

Written by Nicole Craig, filed under Green Living Madison. June 13, 2008

One Response

1. Dennis Meizys Says:
   June 17th, 2008 at 8:39 am

   Another simple project which you can do yourself at home: Create a mist around your air conditioner’s condensing unit. Here are some pictures:

   http://www.marylandgreenpower.com/greenpower/

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