Tips for the Summer

• Do jobs that produce heat and moisture (cooking and cleaning) in the coolest part of the day. Move heat-producing items like incandescent lights and the television away from the thermostat. Their heat will make the thermostat think it is warmer and the AC will work overtime. Use compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) which produce less heat.
• Place any window AC unit on the north sides of the house if possible. Keep central air vents clear, shut doors to unused areas, and close floor and wall vents.
• Plant shade trees on the west and south side of the house. Mature shade trees can cut cooling costs by 20-40 percent.
• Keep out the hot daytime sun. Close curtains or blinds on the sunny rooms of your home. Install solar screens on west-side windows to reduce heat buildup.
• Use a fan with your window AC unit to spread the cool air throughout your home. Or use a ventilating attic fan to help keep your entire house cooler. Plant trees to shade your HVAC or window unit. The sun beating down on the unit makes it work harder to keep you cool; providing shade may increase its efficiency up to 10 percent.