There is no denying the summer heat is here. It is bad enough when you have to go through the stifling heat when you are outside-but if you are suffering from the heat when you are inside as well, it’s time to make some changes. Take a look at these fifteen energy efficient ways to stay cool in the summer. You can make your home green and cool at the same time. Be comfortable and help the environment by incorporating these ideas into your home.
#1: Solar Powered Fans
Nothing says energy efficient like a solar powered fan. They will help your air conditioner out and they will not harm the environment. You will not waste energy, and you will be able to stay cool as well.
#2: Earth Tube Cooling
Earth tube cooling is gaining in popularity, and it is an excellent choice if you want to cool your home in the most energy efficient way possible. This is a passive cooling technique in which pipes are placed underground. The pipes gather cool air and bring it into the home.
If you choose to use this method, be sure to hire someone to correctly set up the system for you. You want to make sure the pipes are placed in areas where they will get cool air to bring into the home. This is a complex system, but once it is set up, it will save you money and also keep your home cool.
#3: Air Conditioner with SEER Rating
If you have an older air conditioner, it might be time to replace the unit with a SEER rated air conditioner. The SEER rating will actually tell you quite a bit about how the air conditioner will work. You want a high rating, because that means it will be good to the environment (and your utility bills) while it cools your home. If it’s time to replace your unit, look for an air conditioner with a SEER rating of 18 or higher.
#4: Ceiling Fans
Many people don’t understand the power of the ceiling fan. Ceiling fans are quiet, energy efficient, and they will help your room stay pleasantly cool. When you use ceiling fans, you will become much less reliant on the air conditioner.
#5: Foam or Cellulose Insulation
Use foam or spray-in cellulose insulation in your home to keep the hot air out and the cool air in. These are environmentally friendly choices that work incredibly well. You will not have to worry about the outside air penetrating your walls when you use foam or cellulose insulation.
#6 Windbreaks
With windbreaks, you can use a natural resource to stay cool. Windbreaks are made by arranging trees to direct the wind. As the wind is directed, the temperature of an area is controlled. You can either have a landscaping professional do this for you, or you can actually build a windbreak yourself.
The idea behind the windbreak is you want to arrange the trees in a way that will cause the wind to funnel toward your home. The more wind you are able to create, the cooler your property will be. With windbreaks, you can stay cool inside and outside.
#7: Awnings
Did you know awnings reduce the amount of heat that enters into a home? When you put awnings on your home, you actually protect your home from the sunlight. The less sunlight that enters into your home, the less heat you have to deal with. This is a simple and cost effective way to stay cool and energy efficient.
#8: Door Sweep
If you don’t have a door sweep, you are likely letting warm air in. You might think your door is sealed tight, but you would be amazed by the amount of air that can come in through the tiniest cracks under doors. A door sweep is an easy solution to this problem. With a door sweep, you can save energy and stay cool.
#9: Weather Stripping
You also want to weather strip your doors and windows. Many people think this is only for the winter time, but air can also come in during the summer. This is an easy way to keep the hot air outside…right where it belongs!
#10: Radiant Barrier
If you want to keep as much sunlight out of your house as possible, consider a radiant barrier for your attic. A radiant barrier is one of the best ways to stay cool and give your air conditioner a break. When you use a radiant barrier, you can attach it to the attic rafters, or even place it on the roof. You will notice instant relief when you start using this barrier.
The barrier will keep the sunlight from entering your home. It deflects the light back into the environment, meaning your home will not have to work as hard to stay cool.
#11: Seal the Garage Door
Your garage is a breeding ground for hot air. Every time your door opens, hot air comes in. On top of that, your garage is not likely air conditioned-which means hot air will continue to build up, even when the door is closed.
You could get an air conditioner for the garage, but that would cost money and it would also not be very energy efficient. Instead, use sealant and seal off the garage door. That way, the hot air will stay in the garage (which means you will not have to deal with it in your home).
#12: Heat Resistant Slate Roof
A slate roof is the perfect luxury choice for someone looking to become more eco-friendly. When you choose a slate roof, you will get a roof that is not only made from recycled materials, but is also heat resistant. Cut down on your electric bills and have a cooler home with a slate roof.
#13: Window Film
If you want solution that is not visible but incredibly effective, use window film. Invisible window film keeps UV rays out, but still lets lots of quality light in at the same time. While many choose to add the file to their windows themselves, it’s probably best to let a pro with lots of experience handle the task for crystal clear, bubble-free results.
#14: Install Low E Grade Windows
Low E Grade windows are one of the best ways to protect your home from UV rays. Whenever you have standard windows, UV rays enter into the home. Then, the home heats up and the air conditioner is left to try to keep up. This is bad for the environment, hard on your electric bill, and it is also incredibly ineffective. Your home will constantly feel hot-and no matter how low you turn the air on, it will not cool down.
When you use Low E Grade windows, you will be able to fight against those UV rays, and thus, your home will stay cool. The rays will bounce back into the atmosphere and stay out of your living area. This will make your home much more comfortable.
#15: Plant Some Trees
This is such a simple tip…and it is often overlooked. When people think of going more energy efficient, they often think of complex and expensive ideas. Save some money and plant some trees.
What can shade do for your home? It will actually keep the sunlight out. Shade does not only cool the outside, but it cools the inside as well. It helps fight against the elements. In addition, those trees will help the environment and make your yard beautiful. Start planting and reap the benefits.
As you can see, there are lots of things you can do to stay cool in the summer while making your home green. Follow these tips and you will not have to worry about battling the heat or contributing to global warming. Why not take the stress off your air conditioner and go green once and for all this summer?