Having your A/C tuned up can save cool energy. Image from HVACtrainingpro.com.
Many of us around the country have already experienced the sweltering power of a summer heat wave. Some places are still experiencing extreme heat levels, and the summer is far from over. Here are a few tips to help you keep cool energy moving in your home, without spending a fortune on air conditioning.
- Seal air leaks. Save cool energy by preventing it from being sucked out of your home. Look for leaks first around windows and doors, or anywhere where two or more materials come together. Seal them with caulk, spray foam or weather stripping.
- Keep the blinds and curtains drawn during the day. The more you can block the sun, the cooler your building will stay.
- Use your ceiling fans. Running ceiling fans keeps cool energy circulating in the room, and makes you feel even cooler with the magic of the wind chill factor, which wicks moisture off your skin. You might find you can raise the thermostat a little.
- Eat fresh, drink cool. Eat foods that don’t require the oven or stove, like cucumber salads. Drink lots of water and stay hydrated. Try adding a drop or two of peppermint oil to your water, or on your pulse points to keep cool energy circulating through your body.
- Insulate your building. Heat will penetrate right through your walls and ceiling if you don’t stop it. Insulation keeps the cool energy in. If you need more in your walls, hire a contractor to install spray foam.
- Have your A/C tuned up. A/Cs have a bad habit of waiting until the dog days to break down. Actually, hot summers are a great time for HVAC professionals, who get a lot of last-minute calls for repairs and installations. With equipment becoming ever more efficient and able to save cool energy, working as an HVAC technician is a great option for a green job.
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