Summer is just around the corner! And here on the Central Coast, we get to look forward to warmer, longer days! Due to our temperate microclimate and always 70-ish degree weather, most homes are not equipped with air-conditioning units … Just lots of fans for those hot Summer days and warm evenings! Whether your home has AC or not, we would like to share some smart ways to keep your home cool, save energy, and money!
Block Out the Sun: Up to 30% of unwanted heat in your home is coming through your windows via the greenhouse effect — sunlight and heat enter, but cannot escape. Energy efficient window treatments like blinds can block sunlight and keep the heat out. Highly reflective blinds can slash heat gain about 45 percent when totally closed and lowered.
Open Windows at Night: Pop the windows open once the sun goes down. You’ll be amazed at how quickly the warm air is replaced with cool, refreshing air.
Seal Those Cracks: Keeping warm air out is crucial to staying cool on summer days. Inspect windows and doors for air leaks. If you can rattle or see daylight around a door or window frame, then apply caulk or weather-stripping to seal them.
Use Ceiling Fans: Set your ceiling fans to rotate counter-clockwise. For central air conditioning systems, a ceiling fan will allow you to raise the thermostat setting about 4 degrees Fahrenheit without sacrificing comfort. If you have a window air conditioner unit, try using a fan nearby to spread cooler air to other parts of the room and house.
Create an Air Tunnel: Utilize fans to create tunnels of cool air coming into your home. If there’s a cool breeze, particularly at night, set one fan facing in on the side of your home receiving the wind, and another facing out on the opposite end of the house. You’ll maximize the cooling power of a natural breeze.
Appliance Repairs: When was the last time you swapped out your air conditioner filter? Routinely replacing the filter could lower your air conditioner’s energy consumption 5 to 15 percent. Even with filters, your system’s evaporator coils can sometimes collect dirt. Check and clean these to help improve airflow.
Turn Off Heated Appliances: Cooking food in an oven can increase the heat not just in your kitchen, but in your whole house. Using a microwave and stovetop to cook food can cut the heat in your home dramatically over using the oven. Time to get outside and get to grilling!
Do Chores at Night: The washer is running hot water, the dryer is using hot air, and the dishwasher is putting out even more heat! Run these machines at night to keep things cooler!