Posted: July 12, 2018

Summer Energy Efficiency Checklist

Summer is in full swing here in Maine – which means the hottest days of the year are on their way. Be prepared!

Here’s a list of things you can do to keep your home cool and your energy bills as low as possible through summer 2018.

24 Ways You Can Save On Your Summer Energy Bills

Cooling system

• Get a tune-up to keep your equipment running efficiently and reliably

Vents

• Close A/C vents in unused rooms and in the basement
• Move any items or furniture that might be obstructing air flow from your vents
• Check your A/C filter once a month, replacing or cleaning it as necessary

Heating system

• Beat the late summer crowds and have your heating system maintained
• If you’re considering a heating system upgrade, summer is the best time to do it – you’ll get a great appointment time and some great deals, too

Thermostat

• Aim for a thermostat setting of 78 degrees when people are home to get the best balance of comfort and energy savings; raise the thermostat six or seven degrees when no one is home

Doors

• Keep doors closed between conditioned and unconditioned spaces
• Draft-proof interior doors to keep cool air from escaping into unconditioned spaces
• Weatherize exterior doors to prevent heat from entering the house
• If you don’t have air conditioning, keep interior doors open as much as possible to promote cross ventilation (run ceiling fans, too – see below)

Windows

• Clean window tracks so windows seal properly
• Caulk exterior window frames to keep heat from entering the house
• If you don’t have A/C, keep windows open as much as possible to promote cross ventilation

Window treatments

• Consider adding reflective or insulated window treatments to prevent solar gain; you can learn more about energy efficient window treatments here

Generator

• Have your propane whole house generator professionally serviced; run it at least once during the summer to make sure it works properly
• Keep enough propane gas on hand to last through a one-week power outage

Attic

• Consider adding insulation to stabilize your home climate and help your A/C
• Use an attic fan to circulate and vent rising hot air from the house

Dehumidifier

• If you have a whole house dehumidifier, have it serviced

Ceiling fans

• Run ceiling fans to keep air circulating, especially if you have A/C; by doing so you can raise your thermostat by three to four degrees with no loss in comfort
• Reset the direction of your fan blades to draw cooler air up into the room rather than pushing hot air back down (see manufacturer’s instructions for how to reverse the direction of your fan blades)

Alarms

• Test all smoke alarms, carbon monoxide sensors and radon detectors; replace batteries if needed

Fireplace

• Close your fireplace damper to prevent heat from entering through the chimney

Want to find more ways to save on energy bills throughout the year? We can help. Contact us today to learn more about high efficiency furnace, boiler, and water heater installations, plus whole-house propane conversions and more!