Vancouver Sun

Hot tips to stay cool this summer

Minimize your summer cooling costs by following these eight recommenda­tions

-

As the mercury soars, your air conditione­r will be working overtime to keep the house comfortabl­y cool. Dave Walton of Direct Energy offers these helpful tips to save money on your summer energy costs: 1. Keep the outdoor air conditione­r clear of toys, dirt and grass clippings and carefully clean it with a garden hose. Flowers and shrubs should be a minimum two feet from the unit. 2. Consider installing ceiling fans — which are more energy efficient than turning on the air conditione­r — to maximize air circulatio­n and move the fresh air throughout the home. Ceiling fan blades should move the air downward in the summer. 3. If your air conditioni­ng unit is more than 11 years old, it’s important to have it regularly serviced by a profession­al technician. Scheduling regular maintenanc­e will help ensure your A/ C system is working properly so you don’t run into any problems during a summer heat wave. 4. Keep blinds, carpets and furniture away from interior vents, so your cooling system can operate efficientl­y and provide even air distributi­on. Close vents in less used rooms so you are not spending money cooling those spaces. Also, close the vents in the basement so the cool air travels to the higher levels of your home. 5. Try to use major appliances such as washers, dryers and dishwasher­s during off- peak hours ( check with your electricit­y provider for this informatio­n). Use your microwave or barbecue for cooking and reheating if possible. 6. Unplug vampire electronic­s; they still suck power when they’re not in use. Ideally, unplug anything you’re not using, such as cellphone chargers, and turn off power bars. 7. Turn off all unnecessar­y lights because they generate heat. This reduces the amount of hot air your A/ C needs to cool. Use energy- saving light bulbs, which can last up to 10 times longer than a normal bulb and use up to 75 per cent less energy. A single 20- to 25- watt energysavi­ng bulb provides as much light as a 100- watt ordinary bulb. Finally, install motion sensors or timers for external lights. 8. Close doors and windows so the cool air stays indoors. Keeping drapes and blinds closed on sunny days can also save on electricit­y costs. Shading windows with awnings, trees and shrubs will also help. If planting shade trees, they’re best planted on the south and west sides of a home.

 ??  ?? Take the pressure off your air conditione­r by installing a window awning to block out strong solar rays.
Take the pressure off your air conditione­r by installing a window awning to block out strong solar rays.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Canada