Our Environment:
Saving Energy While Cooling Your House
Vol. 13, No 3
Homeowners with central air conditioning use a large amount of electricity
each summer to keep cool. It is possible to save energy without sacrificing
comfort. Replacing an old central air conditioning unit with a new Energy
Star model could save 30-50% in operating costs.
Sun-proof your home! Your air conditioning will not have to work so hard if
you keep the hot air outside. Close the drapes on the sunny side of your
home. Keep furniture and drapes clear of your air conditioning vents,
because your air conditioner must work harder if the vents are blocked.
Limit use of major appliances on hot days. Ovens, ranges, dryers and
dishwashers add significant heat to your home.
Let nature be your air conditioning. You save energy by turning off the air
conditioner on cool nights and opening the windows until morning. Insulate
your attic properly.
Cool your home’s surroundings. The landscape around your home can affect
the energy efficiency of you air conditioning. Put mulch on the south side of
your house, a layer at least one inch thick. Mulch retains moisture. When
the moisture evaporates in the sun, it lowers the temperature in the
surrounding areas, including inside your home. Shade the south side of your
home with deciduous trees, they cool your house in summer but will not block
the sun in the winter after they shed their leaves.
Maintain air conditioning units. Well-maintained equipment will use less
energy. Clean the coils. Dirty or dusty coils will reduce efficiency by at
least 20%. Replacing or cleaning the air filter every few months during the
cooling season can reduce operating costs by 5-10% and improve your air
quality. Shield your outdoor central air conditioning unit to keep it out of
direct sunlight. A unit that is in the sun can use 10% more energy.
Energy smart renovations: If you are planning some home improvements,
keep energy saving strategies in mind. When replacing windows, choose
those with fiberglass or vinyl frames. Aluminum is an excellent conductor of
heat, so aluminum window frames bring outside heat into the living space.
For driveways on sunny sides of the house, favor dark asphalt over light
colored cement. Light colored driveways deflect more sun and heat into
your home. When replacing your roof, use light colored shingles. A dark
colored roof absorbs tremendous heat on sunny summer days. Painting your
homes exterior in a light color also can reduce the energy you use in cooling
your home.
This article was written by Ingrid Justick, a member of the Grow and Show
Garden Club of Interlaken and the Garden Club of Spring Lake.