How to Beat The Summer Heat !

Concerned about the rising cost to cool your home? Fortunately, there are strategies you can employ to reduce costs and conserve energy and fuel without sacrificing comfort. The Department of Energy's (DOE) "Consumer Energy Information" web page is full of suggestions to improve energy efficiency during hot weather. Check out their tips on cooling your home and how to conduct an energy audit. The Alliance to Save Energy's publication Power$mart discusses how to improve energy efficiency in your home. Improving energy efficiency means getting the most out of each unit of energy consumed. Some examples include: installing a programmable thermostat or replacing standard light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs which use less energy while supplying the same amount of light.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Clean or replace ventilation system filters each month.
2. Close shades on the sunny side of your home on hot days.
3. Install ceiling fans to help cool the house.
4. Install a programmable thermostat.
5. Conduct a home energy audit or hire a professional to conduct one and develop an energy efficiency plan for the whole house. Check out DOE's online publication, Home Energy Audits for more information.
6. If your home uses electricity, consider installing an energy-efficient heat pump.
7. Consider replacing an older central air-conditioning system with a newer "Energy-Star" rated system which can be twice as efficient as existing equipment.
8. Replace old style single-pane windows with newer double-pane models, made with special materials to reduce energy loss or reflect the sun's rays. The model recommended depends upon the climate in your area.

Tips & Warnings

• - Following these precedures can result to no physical harm.
• Symptoms of heat exhaustion include:
• -Body temperature usually normal or only slightly elevated.
• -Dry mouth.
• -Fatigue, weakness.
• -Dizziness.
• -Headache.
• -Nausea, sometimes vomiting.
• -Weak and rapid pulse.
• -Sweating.
• -Cool, clammy, pale skin. NOTE: Symptoms take time to develop - sometimes several hours after dehydration occurs.