Save Energy at Home in Summer

Prepare for the Heat, You’ll be Cool This Summer

It’s lovely when the temperature rises at the end of winter – long summer days can be so idyllic!

But many people take the path of least resistance and turn on the air conditioning in their homes at the slightest hint of warmth.

But that starts up an energy-wasting cycle of ever-colder air-conditioning temperatures as you try to keep your home cool while the outdoors heats up.

Of course that’s not green or eco friendly, but it also has health implications for us too.

It is said that the body takes about 2 weeks to adjust to seasonal temperature change.

So, let your body adapt naturally at the start of the warmth.  Then the rest of the summer will be more comfortable and you’ll use less energy in keeping cool.

Here are some tips on how you can avoid this energy-wasting cycle and save energy – and your health – this summer.

Fresh Air

Don’t turn the air conditioning on as soon as it warms up. Instead, open all your windows and spend lots of time outdoors.   Your house will get lots of fresh air after the winter, and so will you!

If you work in an office or are indoors all day, you’re probably deficient in Vitamin D because you don’t get enough sun.  Spending time outside not only gets you fresh air, but also Vitamin D.

Even if you don’t have a garden, spend time on your balcony or go to a park or scenic area.

If you go to a restaurant, choose one with outside seating – take advantage of the slightly warmer weather and sit in the fresh air.

Fans

Keep the air conditioning off and use fans instead.   Remember the air is cooler in the early morning and in the evening.  If your house is too warm, draw that cool air in – it’s free!

There are lots of different types, each with different uses.

• Place a fan in a window to draw the cool air in.   Double fans that fit into the window frame are particularly effective.
• Ceiling fans are also good choices as they are so unobtrusive.  (Ceiling fans always remind me of delightful colonial-style homes in hot climates!).
• Desk or floor fans are portable and easy to move around to different parts of your home.  Place one facing in by the window where the breeze is coming in, and one at an opposite window positioned to blow warm air out – you’ll create a nice “wind tunnel” effect, pulling air through the house.
• A whole house fan (non- powered) is designed to be used in the evenings, when it pulls hot air from the home up into the attic.  Due to pressure differentials, the hot air is forced out of the attic, and cool air is drawn into the home through open windows.

Remember to keep the windows closed during the day, and also the drapes or curtains if you’re not using a room.

Awnings

Before air conditioning was readily available, houses were designed to keep the heat out in summer and let the warmth in during winter.  Now, many houses are built without any thought for that, and I think that’s a shame.

But there are ways of overcoming this without resorting to air conditioning.

Awnings save a great deal of energy by shading windows and doors.

If you stop the heat hitting your home, you’ll have less to cool – your house will be much more comfortable.

Use awnings on the sunny side(s) of your home – there are lots of different types for different needs and design styles – see how you can save money (and the planet) with awnings.

Shutters and Shades

Shutters are used throughout the world in hot climates and are extremely effective at keeping houses cool.

Close shutters or draw curtains and shades if you are going to be out during the day when the sun is beating in through the windows.

If your home doesn’t get hot during the day, it won’t cost you money to cool it in the evening!

When it’s cooler outside, open the shutters, shades and blinds as well as the windows.

(Of course, verandas and porches fulfil the same purpose, but in this article we’re looking at things you don’t need to build).

Cross-Ventilate

Open windows across from each-other to generate cross-ventilation.

Again, this is normally built into the design of many houses in hot climates.  For example, in my home the front door is directly in line with the doors at the back of the house leading out onto the patio and garden.  The rooms in between always have a lovely breeze.

Tint, Film

Apply tinting or film to your home’s windows.  This is a technique that has been used by those who own antiques and other precious items subject to sun damage. Tinting or film keeps your house much cooler by reducing the amount of heat which can enter the room from the sun.  Window film can add great décor effects too if you wish, with frosting, colours, shapes and designs.  (Just mke sure the decorative film also stops the sun – not all of them do).

Prepare, don’t react

Finally, if you do use air conditioning,

• change the filters or clean them if you use permanent filters (permanent are more eco friendly than disposable filters).
• make sure that the condenser unit (the part outside the house) is clean after winter (remove the cover and hose it down), and make sure nothing is close to it – trim shrubs and make sure that nothing is blocking its air flow.

If you don’t want to do this yourself, your air conditioning service company will do it for you.

But be sure your system is checked BEFORE it gets really hot.  Once the summer heat arrives, the aircon companies will be very busy.

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Photo credit: microsoft