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Too few homeowners know how to achieve an energy-efficient home. Running your A/C unit all day in order to keep your house cool is not the ideal way. Instead, it’s important to learn alternative techniques to beat the heat without beating up your bank account.
- Dial up your thermostat – To conserve energy, your thermostat should be set at least at 78 degrees. When you leave home, turn it up by three or four degrees. This will keep your home at a level that won’t use a lot of energy, but will cool off quickly when you adjust it back down.
- Fans may be all you need – If the heat isn’t too bad, floor and ceiling fans can make you comfortable while saving energy. You can also invest in whole-house fans, which in some cases can cut cooling costs in half.
- Cool air in, hot air out – To utilize this technique, keep your windows open during the coolest parts of the day – night and early morning – drawing cool air inside using window fans or a whole-house fan. When the day starts heating up, shut the windows and pull the shades closed.
- Invest in a programmable thermostat – These thermostats allow you to set the days and times when your cooling equipment is running, allowing you to better control the cooling of your home. You can even make changes remotely through the Internet or your smartphone if you select a “smart” model.
- Block the incoming sun – There are a number of curtains, shutters, shades and window treatments available that will help keep the sun out, and many of them add to the style of your home, both inside and out.
- Seal any air leaks – Air leakage accounts for up to 35 percent energy loss for the average household. Most cracks and gaps around your home can be sealed with caulk or spray foam, while weatherstripping can be used to seal doors and window sashes.
To learn more ways to have an energy-efficient home, please contact the experts at Roth Heating & Cooling. We’ve been serving the Portland area since 1976.
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