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Conserve Energy
Year Round | Summer | Winter
Two Fan Challenge | Appliances

Summer Time

1. keep the heat out
2. don't make heat
3. stay cool.

1.  Keep the heat out / invite the cool air in.
It's like an oven out there during a heat wave.  An open window is like a having an open oven door!

Morning -- close all windows, curtains and drapes to trap the cooler air inside and limit the heat from the sun.

Evening -- open windows, curtains and drapes.  Use a window fan to blow cool air into a bedroom and another to exhaust the warm air.  Try to create an air flow through your home to exchange the warm air for cool. 

Daytime -- If you have a basement, use a fan to blow cool air up to the main floor.  You can try using your furnace fan if you have ducts

If you use an air conditioner, set it to 26 degrees (79 Fahrenheit) or higher and run it only when necessary.  Cooling your home the natural way can save electricity and help reduce the risk of blackouts during peak demand.

2.  Don't make heat
Conserve electricity!  Electricity use generates heat.  Avoid using the stove for cooking, clean your fridge coils, and switch to compact fluorescent lightbulbs.

3.  Stay cool
Dress for the weather, drink lots of water, have cold showers, and if your home is too warm head for a cooler place (library, store, or restaurant).

For more summer cooling ideas, see the Office of Energy Efficiency (Canada) factsheet, http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/english/tips/hometips_summer.cfm, or the U.S. based EarthEasy factsheet on home cooling, http://eartheasy.com/live_naturalcooling.htm