Green Mountain Energy® Blog
Home Energy Efficiency Tips for Summer
The arrival of warmer weather is the perfect time to prepare your home for the summer season. But staying cool doesn’t have to come at the expense of the environment or your energy bills. By incorporating these energy efficiency tips for summer into your routine, you can enjoy a comfortable home while reducing your carbon footprint and saving on energy costs.
1. Optimize Your Cooling System.
Your HVAC system will likely be the most significant source of your home’s energy consumption during the summer, as it works nonstop on hot days to help keep you cool. You can maximize your system’s energy efficiency with these HVAC maintenance tips:
- Clean or replace air filters regularly to maintain airflow and avoid overworking your HVAC.
- Clear debris from around your outdoor HVAC unit to ensure proper airflow.
- Schedule HVAC maintenance at least once a year to ensure optimum efficiency and avoid unexpected failures.
- Consider upgrading to a smart thermostat, which can learn your daily habits and adjust the temperature automatically, depending on when you’re home or away. Smart thermostats also allow you to take advantage of energy-saving programs like Ready, Set, Relax!
2. Harness Natural Ventilation.
Take advantage of cooler evening temperatures by opening your windows at night and allowing natural ventilation to cool your home. Strategically placed fans in windows can help circulate air throughout your living space, creating a refreshing breeze without the need for AC. Just make sure your screens are in place to keep out any critters!
3. Seal and Weatherproof Your Home.
Try these quick, affordable home upgrades to help prevent cool air from escaping and reduce energy usage.
- Weatherproof windows for summer with fresh weatherstripping or caulk.
- Add thermal curtains or solar window film to block heat.
4. Switch Your Ceiling Fans to Summer Mode.
Check that your home’s ceiling fans are set to rotate counterclockwise. When fan blades spin in this direction, they push air downward, which helps to cool down the room more effectively. This allows you to feel comfortable and save energy without needing to crank up the AC.
5. Inspect Your Insulation.
Ensuring your insulation is in top condition is essential for maintaining your home’s energy efficiency. Insulation plays a key role in maintaining comfortable indoor temperatures by reducing heat transfer between the inside and outside of your walls and roof.
- Start by looking for signs of aging or inadequate insulation like drafty rooms, uneven temperatures or cold walls.
- If you need to refresh your home’s insulation, try an eco-friendly material like recycled denim, cellulose, cork or aerogel.
6. Use Shade Strategically.
Consider adding outdoor awnings, planting shady greenery near your home or installing reflective window treatments to block heat. For a touch of sustainability indoors, opt for bamboo curtains, which are environmentally friendly and provide excellent insulation from heat. These passive cooling methods can help to reduce indoor temperatures without consuming energy.
7. Embrace Energy-Saving Appliances.
When it comes to saving electricity while staying cool in the summer, energy-efficient appliances can make a significant difference. Energy Star-certified appliances such as refrigerators, fans and air conditioners consume less energy while delivering optimal performance. Not only can they help reduce your carbon footprint, but they can also help lower your utility bills in the long run.
8. Practice Smart Energy Habits.
Even small changes can make a big difference for your utility bills. In fact, adding these simple summer energy tips into your daily routine can help lead to significant savings.
- Minimize heat-generating activities during the hottest parts of the day, such as cooking on the stovetop, using the oven or running the dishwasher. Instead, hand-wash dishes and use appliances like microwaves or air fryers to cook.
- Turn off lights, electronics and other appliances when not in use to reduce unnecessary heat and energy consumption.
- Unplug unused electronics or use smart power strips to prevent energy waste from standby power.
- Ensure all your doors and windows are securely closed when running the AC to avoid leaks and improve efficiency.
- If you have an attached garage, keep the main door closed as often as possible during hot days to help keep your home cool.
9. Use the Sun to Your Advantage.
All that heat blazing down from the sky can make it tough to stay cool, but you can also use it to reduce your energy use in a few creative ways.
- Dry your clothes outside instead of running your dryer.
- Take advantage of solar energy, from solar-powered phone chargers and ovens to installing rooftop solar panels to power your home.
- Barbecue on your outdoor grill instead of using your gas or electric stovetop.
10. Make a Long-Term Efficiency Plan for Your Home.
Purchasing small upgrades like smart plugs or programmable thermostats can help enhance your home’s energy efficiency by automating energy savings. These devices allow you to control and schedule your energy use, ensuring that you’re not using power when it’s not needed. You can also explore renewable energy plans from Green Mountain Energy to power your home sustainably. Our plans utilize clean en/en/blog/ergy sources like wind and solar, helping you reduce your carbon footprint and contribute to a greener future.
By implementing these energy efficiency tips for summer, you’ll be well-prepared for the hottest months of the year while staying comfortable and enjoying lower energy bills. To learn more about living sustainably, you can explore more resources from Green Mountain Energy. And if you’re ready to make a bigger impact this season, consider switching to a renewable energy plan and powering your home with clean energy.
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