We can all benefit from suggestions for how to keep our home a little cooler during hot days. While a nice glass of iced tea can cool you down after a long day in the sun, we’re sharing 10 tips to help keep your home from heating up too much during the summer.

1. Seal Cracks and Leaks

  • Tip: Keep warm air outside where it belongs.
  • Details: The Washington Gas Home Energy Conservation Kits for Maryland residential customers come with caulk, weatherstripping and door sweeps to seal any cracks around doors and windows. Proper insulation and air sealing prevents warm air from leaking inside your home.

2. Mindful Cooking

  • Tip: Prevent energy waste by adjusting your cooking habits.
  • Details: Don’t cook with a flame that exceeds the width of your pan. Using a flame bigger than your pot or pan wastes energy and needlessly heats your kitchen.

3. Embrace Outdoor Grilling

  • Tip: Turn your backyard or patio into an outdoor kitchen.
  • Details: Instead of using your indoor stove or oven, fire up the grill outdoors. Grilling not only adds flavor to your meals, but also keeps the kitchen heat out.

4. Oven Etiquette

  • Tip: Avoid opening your oven while in use.
  • Details: Minimize how many times you open the oven door to prevent heat from escaping. Each time you open the oven door, it loses about 20% of its heat.

5. Sunblock For Your Windows

  • Tip: Block heat gain through windows.
  • Details: Install energy rated window coverings or attachments such curtains, shades, screens and awnings to prevent excess heat from entering your home during the day. Close them when the sun directly shines into your windows.

6. Full Loads Only

  • Tip: Optimize appliance usage.
  • Details: Run your dishwasher and clothes washer only when they are full. This maximizes energy efficiency and minimizes water usage.

7. Ceiling Fan Strategy

  • Tip: Use ceiling fans correctly.
  • Details: Turn off ceiling fans when no one is in the room. To create a cooling breeze during the summer, flip the switch on your ceiling fans to rotate counterclockwise.

8. Cold Water Cleaning

  • Tip: Save energy while doing laundry and dishes.
  • Details: Consider running your washing machine and dishwasher with cold water. Most modern detergents work effectively in cold water. Plus, it reduces energy consumption from your water heater.

9. Adjust Water Heater Temperature

  • Tip: Lower water heating costs.
  • Details: Turn down the water temperature on your water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. This reduces energy usage without sacrificing warmth.

10. Smart Thermostat Settings

  • Tip: Optimize your cooling system.
  • Details: Invest in a programmable or smart thermostat. Set it to higher temperatures when you’re away and cooler temperatures when you’re home.

Remember, small changes can add up to savings and keep your home cooler. Washington Gas offers rebates to help you find more ways to save. Maryland customers can apply for rebates on a variety of energy-saving home products and sign up for a Home Energy Assessment.

 

Sources: energy.gov; energy.maryland.gov, AERCenergyrating.org