Save Energy in Earth Month
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Most people want to keep their home cool and comfortable during the summer months, but this can lead to a lot of energy use, especially when the temperature spikes. There are a number of things that you can do to cool your home without using any additional energy. These Earth Month tips can even improve the overall aesthetic of your home and increase your curb appeal.
Install Awnings on Your Home
Awnings block direct sunlight from entering your home, reducing solar heat gain and decreasing the amount of air conditioning that you need to use to counteract it. Installing awnings can reduce your cooling-related energy usage by up to 33 percent.
Create Natural Shade
Trees provide natural shade and can reduce the amount of direct sunlight that hits your house and heats it up. Plant a few trees around your home to reap the benefits—to reduce the long-term likelihood of root damage to your home, make sure to plant the tree far enough away that it doesn’t cause foundation damage as the tree grows larger over the years. You can also plant bushes around the perimeter of your home to make the lower level of your home cooler.
Use Your Windows Properly
Heat rises, and you should take full advantage of this. Use your windows as a vent to remove the hot air that rises in your home. Open the windows on the highest level of your home so that the heat can escape. Opening a single attic window can cool your home down significantly. You can use your air conditioning in your living space while allowing your attic window to naturally vent any excess hot air.
Use a Ceiling Fan
Ceiling fans do use energy, but they use far less energy than an air conditioning unit. Place one in each main room of your home to keep the air circulating and promote coolness. These fans work by creating moving air in your home, helping moisture that accumulates on your skin to evaporate. You want to ensure that these fans are rotating in a counter-clockwise motion during the summer months to circulate the cool air.
Use a Programmable Thermostat
This type of thermostat helps you to have more control over the temperature of your home. For example, when you are at work, you can turn the temperature up so that your house is warmer and uses less energy when you aren’t home. You can set this thermostat to start cooling your home down about an hour before you come home so that your home is comfortable by the time you arrive.
Trust in PFO
Consider using several of these Earth Month tips to keep your home as cool as possible during hot summers. These tips will enhance what your A/C unit is already doing, allowing for the coolest possible home while saving the most money.
Princeton Fuel is the area’s leader in providing inexpensive, reliable and safe generators, heating oil and HVAC solutions—giving your home and business ultimate comfort all year long.