Allow natural ventilation to reduce cooling demand
Consider keeping your windows open in the evening and overnight to allow cooler air into your home, and don't forget to turn off your AC system. Close the windows during the day to keep the cool air in and the warm air out.
Design your home to minimize heat gain
Details like landscaping, lighting and architecture not only make your house feel like a home but can also help protect it from the elements.
Plant shade trees and shrubs
Those living in rural areas can save on energy costs by planting shade trees and shrubs as solar shields. In summer, leafy trees can block harsh sunlight from your windows and make your air conditioner's job easier. You can plant shade trees on the east, west and northwest sides of your home to provide shade where it counts.
Use awnings and overhangs
As an alternative to planting trees, awnings can provide more flexibility for seasonal energy savings. Use awnings and overhangs to keep the sun out of south-facing windows in the summer, then take down the awnings to let the sunshine in and save energy during the winter. You could even plan the overhangs so that they'll shade windows from the high summer sun but let in the lower winter sun.
Install light-blocking window treatments
Keep curtains, blinds and shades closed during peak daylight hours, especially on south- and west-facing windows, to prevent solar heat from warming your home.
Improve home insulation and ventilation
Work your way through your home to find leaks or drafts that you can seal to keep the cool air in and the heat and humidity out.
Upgrade your windows
Energy-efficient windows with low‑e coatings, gas fills and multiple panes help block outdoor heat and reduce cooling demand.
Prevent your attic from heating your home
If it's hot outside, chances are it's even hotter in your attic. There are 2 ways to make sure that hot air doesn't heat the rooms on the top floor of your home: block out the heat with an insulated attic floor and expel the heat with vents and fans. Attic insulation should fully cover the floor joists, though the exact recommended thickness varies by climate. Attic ventilation may come from soffit and gable vents, ridge vents, attic fans, roof fans or some combination of these features.
Block moisture from crawlspaces
Homes with concrete foundations can develop moisture issues that start in the crawlspace, where summertime temperatures are often much cooler than the air above ground. This can increase indoor humidity, which has a direct effect on air conditioner load. But you can minimize this effect by spreading plastic sheeting between 6 and 8 millimeters thick across the floor of your crawlspace. You can also have your crawlspace permanently sealed through a process called encapsulation.
Reduce basement humidity
Just like crawlspaces, basements can also let humidity creep into the home and create the risk of mildew and mold. Prevent this problem by making sure your rain gutter system is effectively moving rainwater away from your home. You can also grade your lawn so that water slopes away naturally. If basement moisture problems persist, you may need to have a new vapor barrier installed by a professional.
Avoid generating unnecessary heat inside your home
If you plan to use your oven, try to do it at least an hour after sunset to avoid heating your home during the hottest time of day. The same goes for your dishwasher and clothes dryer. Replacing incandescent light bulbs with low-heat LEDs will bring your home's heat production down even further. To keep out unnecessary humidity, use your bathroom exhaust fans after showering and your kitchen exhaust fans when cooking on the stovetop.
Dress for the weather
Dress in comfortable, lightweight clothing during hot weather so you can stay cool when the thermostat is set a little higher. This strategy can save energy at work just as easily as at home, so if your office allows for a summer dress code, take advantage to feel cooler while you work.
Remain cool and stay in control
By making a few strategic adjustments and shifting your energy habits, you can enjoy a more comfortable home, even in summer's hottest months of the year. Put these tips into action to outsmart the summer heat and enjoy a more energy-efficient home all season long.
Sources
1 The U.S. Department of Energy: Programmable Thermostats
