Things You'll Need:
- Insulation for water heater and attic
- Attic fan (solar powered is best!)
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Step 1
Add an insulation blanket to your water heater, this will make the water heater more efficient and prevent it from radiating heat outward (contributing to the heat removed from your home.)
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Step 2
Insulate your water pipes, this will slow heat loss on the hot water pipes. It will also prevent water condensation on the cold water pipes.
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Step 3
Attic insulation:
Add attic insulation, the better it is will mean lower heating in the winter and less ac load in the summer. -
Step 4
Attic ventilation:
Add a solar powered attic vent, this pulls the hot air out when the sun is shining. A cooler attic will take a huge load off of your ac system, since it's solar powered there is no carbon footprint from using this type of fan. Make sure your attic vents are open and allow air to pass easily through them. -
Step 5
Your ac system:
Make sure the air filters are clean, if they are dirty then replace them with new ones. Most window air units have a serviceable foam filter that you can access by removing the front cover, central air units have a filter that is shared with the heater unit. Most are supposed to be replaced every 30 days, more often with heavy use. -
Step 6
Clean the condenser coils for a window air unit, the condenser unit for central air is the big box outside with the fan blowing in the middle of it. Shut off the power (or unplug it) before cleaning with a garden hose.
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Step 7
Windows and doors:
Make sure all the windows and doors are shut and weatherstripped properly. Close storm windows as this will also add another barrier to prevent hot air from coming in. If your windows are old and leak a lot of air, this might be a good time to consider replacement. -
Step 8
Cooking:
Try to not use your oven or stove burners, this dumps a lot of heat into your home which your ac will have to remove. Build a solar oven and use it whenever needed. Cook on the grill outside. Eat cold foods in the summer, fresh vegetables and fruits are in season and are healthy for you! -
Step 9
Laundry:
Wash clothes with cold water whenever possible, hang clothes on the clothesline to dry. When using a clothes dryer indoors, you are pumping hot air outside from the dryer but that air is replaced by hot air leaking in from outside adding more load to your ac system. Hang up swimming towels as they can be used a couple of times between washings. -
Step 10
Showers and bathing:
If you go swimming everyday, most (if not all) pools have shower facilities. Take your shampoo and shower there, saving your hot water at home and not adding humidity to your home. If you shower at home make it a cool fast shower, this lowers the steam emissions and you will feel refreshed afterward! If you look forward to a hot shower every day, consider a solar heated shower used outside. -
Step 11
Internal heat load:
You can't do much about the heat outside your home but there's a lot you can do about the heat inside. Switch all bulbs to the new style CF bulbs, this will prevent a lot of heat from lights. Turn off all TV's, stereos and computers when not in use. Anything that uses electricity and is on is generating heat, turn it off! I nag my kids all the time over this one. -
Step 12
Switch to a programmable thermostat:
Take advantage of the cooler ambient temperatures at night, 65 degrees at night and 75 degrees during the day will save as much as 35% on your cooling energy costs.
