Tips and Tricks to Keep Your Home Cool and Efficient

Here are some of our favorite energy saving tips that will help keep your house cool and efficient this summer, courtesy of your friendly neighborhood Northern Alberta Energy Savers!!

Whether you can spend a little or a lot there are a variety of ways to keep your energy bills low and your home cool this summer!

No-Cost Tips

• Use appliances that generate heat such as dishwashers, clothes washers and dryers in the evening.
• Close all blinds and drapes during the day to keep heat out
• BBQ! Enjoy the summer weather and keep your house cool by cooking outside.
• Use a clothes line! Get that authentic country breeze freshness without the dryer sheet!
• Run full loads in your washer and dryer, and wash in cold water when ever possible.
• Run a full load of dishes in the dishwasher and let them air dry!
• Get into the habit of turning off all appliances when they are not being used. This will not only prevent the creation of excess heat but will help cut down on your power bill.

Low-Cost Tips

• Caulk all windows and doors. This will help keep the heat out during the summer and cold air out during the winter.
• Add weather stripping or replace old weather stripping around all doors and attic hatches.
• Beautify your yard! Plant trees and shrubs on the south and west side of your home; they will act as an insulator in the winter and provide shade during the summer.
• Use room fans to keep the air moving! This is a very low cost way to reduce the feeling of heat in your home.

Higher-Cost Tips

• Upgrade your attic insulation to the recommended R-50. This will not only keep your house cool in the summer but comfy cozy in the winter.
• Be sure to upgrade your attic ventilation if your home is already well insulated.
• Replace single-pane windows with energy –efficient multi-pane, thermal broken, vinyl framed windows. Not only will this stop excess heat from coming in during in the summer, and keep heat in during the summer it will add value to your home!
• Keep appliances clean and maintained                                               
  

Stay tuned for more Tips and Tricks for keeping your home cool and efficient this summer with the Northern Alberta Energy Savers…