Combating Spring

COMBATING SPRING & SUMMER COOLING COSTS

Submitted by Sean Welsh, Energy Resource Educator

To mitigate cooling costs in the spring and summer, a number of strategies can be used to stay cool when the weather is hot -- and keep your energy costs down. If you haven’t yet, consider an energy audit to find out what kind of air sealing and insulation upgrades could be applied to help with cooling and heating costs year-round! If you are interested in an energy audit, email Sean at sw288@cornell.edu or call 845-292-6180 ext. 127. • Service air conditioners.

Routine maintenance of air filters, and take a look at your air conditioner’s manufacturer information on checking the unit’s evaporator coil, which should be cleaned annually. • Seal cracks and openings to prevent the summer’s warmer air from coming into your indoor spaces; caulk and weatherstripping can be used to seal leaks around doors and windows. • Open windows and use a window fan instead of a/c, and remember that fans cool people, not rooms. • Taking your cooking outside on warmer days to a grill can save on

cooling costs and keep indoor spaces from heating up from the use of stoves and ovens. • Seek energy efficient window treatments to keep the heat of the sun from coming into the home, and don’t forget to use them during the warmest parts of the day to keep the hot rays of the sun from overheating indoor spaces. • Keep your air conditioning set to a higher setting, the smaller the difference from the indoor to the outdoor temperatures, the lower the cost of electricity to power the a/c. Whole home air conditioning can utilize a programmable thermostat to select a higher temperature when no one is home to help reduce costs. • When you shower or use the bath, use the bathroom fans to remove extra heat and humidity from your home. • Spring is a great time to seal and insulate ducts, which will help with costs during cooling and heating season. • Swap out your most used light bulbs for energy efficient, Energy Star LED bulbs. Contact Sean to discuss the available programs for NYS residents and different approaches to clean energy projects.

Source: “10 Energy Saving Tips for Spring.” Energy.gov. Accessed April 16, 2021. https://www.energy.gov/ articles/10-energy-saving-tipsspring#:~:text=10 Energy Saving Tips for Spring.