What can I Do?

Whether you rent or own your home, there are many ways you can cut back on your energy use, and in many instances, save money while improving the health and comfort of your living space.

Homeowners »

As a homeowner, you have the most control over improving the energy efficiency of your home. Learn about what’s involved in an energy audit and how to make cost effective investments in your home’s overall energy performance.

Renters »

Think energy efficiency is beyond your control? Even if you don’t own your home, there are several things you can do to start saving energy and money right away.

Landlords »

Regardless of whether you or your tenants pay the utility bills, saving energy makes financial sense. Many energy efficiency improvements offer a quick return on investment and can help improve the comfort and marketability of rental housing.

Building a Home »

A new home is an investment that will last 75-100 years. Building an energy efficient home is an opportunity to simultaneously achieve comfort, durability and a healthy return on your investment.

Get the most from Your AC

Open windows and use fans instead. Make sure ceiling fans are turned counterclockwise for summer.
Use a programmable thermostat with your air conditioner to adjust when no one is home. Change air filters monthly during the summer. Use window shades to reflect heat away from the house. Close curtains on south and west facing windows during the day.

Landscape Effectively for a Cooler House

Plant trees or shrubs to shade AC units, but not block airflow. Trellised vines can shade windows or the whole side of a house. Avoid landscaping with lots of unshaded rock, cement, or asphalt on the south or west sides. Deciduous trees planted on the south and west sides of your house will keep your house cool in the summer and can save a few hundred dollars in annual cooling and heating costs.

Don’t Cool the Whole Neighborhood

Caulking and weatherstripping will keep cool air in during the summer. If you see holes or separated joints in your ducts, use duct mastic or hire a professional to repair them. After sealing your ducts, add insulation around air conditioning ducts when they are located in unconditioned spaces. Do the same for whole-house fans where they open to the exterior or to the attic. Check to see that your fireplace damper is tightly closed.

Keep Your Living Space Cool

Replace incandescents with CFLs – they produce the same amount of light but use 1/5 of the energy. Air dry dishes instead of using your dishwasher’s drying cycle. Use a microwave instead of a conventional electric range or oven. Use a power strip for home electronics and turn off when equipment is not in use.

Plan Ahead

A quick check of your air conditioner’s efficiency can help you decide whether to call in a service professional. Use a household thermometer to measure the temperature of the discharge air from the register and the temperature of the return air at the return-air grill. The difference should be 14-20 degrees. An air conditioner that’s not cooling to those levels could be low on refrigerant or have leaks. A unit cooling more than 20 degrees could have a severe blockage.

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