EPA Offers Energy Tips on Summer Cooling to Save Money, Reduce Air Pollution (PA)
PHILADELPHIA (June 30, 2011)
– The summer heat is here. To help you and
your family stay cool, comfortable and save energy, the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star program
suggests a few simple steps.
The average American home spends almost 20 percent of its utility
bill on cooling. Increased energy production to run cooling systems
raises your costs and contributes to pollution that adversely
affects the quality of the air we breathe. Here are seven simple
ways to help protect your wallet and the environment:
· Use
Ceiling Fans Optimally. Run your
ceiling fan to create a cool breeze. If you raise your thermostat
by only two degrees and use your ceiling fan, you can lower cooling
costs by up to 14 percent. Remember that ceiling fans cool you, not
the room, so when you leave the room make sure to turn off the
fan.
· Maximize Shade.
Pull the curtains and shades closed before you
leave your home to keep the sun’s rays from overheating the
interior of your home. If you can, move container trees and plants
in front of sun-exposed windows to serve as shade.
· Find the Best Thermostat
Settings. If you have a programmable
thermostat, program it to work around your family’s summer
schedule—set it a few degrees higher (such as 78 degrees)
when no one is home, so you are not cooling an empty
house.
· Reduce Oven Time.
Use a microwave or grill outside instead of oven
cooking, when you can. Ovens take longer to cook food and can make
your house warmer, requiring your air conditioning system to work
harder to keep the house at a comfortable temperature.
· Check Air Conditioner
Filters. Check your cooling
system’s air filter every month. If the filter looks dirty,
change it. A good rule is to change the filter at least every three
months. A dirty filter will slow air flow and make the system work
harder to keep you cool—wasting energy. Also, remember to
have your system serviced annually to ensure it’s running at
optimum efficiency for money and energy savings.
· Change to More Efficient
Light Bulbs. Change out incandescent
light bulbs with more energy-efficient lighting choices. Energy
Star qualified lighting uses less energy and also produces
approximately 75 percent less heat than incandescent
lighting.
· Plug Duct System
Leaks. As much as 20 percent of the
air moving through your home’s duct system is lost due to
leaks and poor connections. Seal duct work using mastic sealant or
metal tape and insulate all the ducts that you can access (such as
those in attics, crawlspaces, unfinished basements, and garages).
Also, make sure that connections at vents and registers are
well-sealed where they meet floors, walls, and ceilings. These are
common locations to find leaks and disconnected
ductwork.
More information on ways to cut energy costs this summer: https://www.energystar.gov/products/heating_cooling/keep_your_cool_and_save_your_money_summer
More information on being more energy-efficient and protecting the environment in your area through “Energy Stars Across America”: http://www.energystar.gov/starsmap
For EPA Energy Star contacts in the EPA’s mid-Atlantic region visit: http://www.epa.gov/reg3artd/globclimate/cleanenergy.htm