Efficient cooling saves energy, money and the quality of our lives. Here are some simple things you can do to help keep your home cool this summer, without breaking the bank.

Record-breaking heat has already engulfed the Northeastern region of the United States for the second consecutive day — summer hasn’t even officially begun yet.

If you’re wondering out how to keep your house as cool as possible during the coming summer months, the following are some simple ways to cut cooling costs, protect your health and stay comfortable at home.

• Set the Thermostat to Your Schedule. If you use a programmable thermostat with your air conditioner (AC), program it to work around your family’s summer schedule, adjusting the setting at night or when no one is home. Ensure your cooling system isn’t cooling an empty house.
• Optimize Ceiling Fans. 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 also lower cooling costs by up to 14 percent. Ceiling fans cool you, not the room, so turn off the fan when you leave the room.
• Use More Efficient Lighting. Change out incandescent light bulbs with more energy-efficient lighting choices. Compact fluorescent lamps use about 75 percent less energy than incandescent lamps and emit 90 percent less heat for the same amount of light.
• Maximize Shade. Before you leave your home, close all curtains and shades (especially on south- and west-facing windows) 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.
• Check AC Filters. Inspect your cooling system’s air filter monthly. 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.
• Plug Duct System Leaks. Seal all AC ducts and insulate all ducts you can access in attics, crawl spaces, unfinished basements and garages. Ensure that connections at vents and registers are well-sealed where they meet floors, walls and ceilings. As much as 20 percent of air that moves through a home’s duct system is lost due to leaks and poor connections.

To find out how to identify common heat-related hazards and prevent future heat injuries, see How to Recognize and Treat Heat Exhaustion. For ways to fight on-the-job summer lethargy, see 8 Tips for Staying Productive in the Heat.

Resources

…Energy Tips on Summer Cooling to Help Save Money, Reduce Pollution
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, May 19, 2011

Energy Savers: Tips on Saving Energy and Money at Home
U.S. Department of Energy

Record-Breaking Heat Engulfs Northeast
by Chris Dolce
Weather.com, June 9, 2011 (last updated)