5 Ways to chill out this summer

1. Keep the Heat Out

• Improve insulation between your attic and roof.
• If you are upgrading your windows, consider ENERGY STAR certified windows.
• Use your window coverings, add new ones, or adjust blinds to keep the sun out.
• The right roof can do a lot to keep the heat out. Consider ENERGY STAR certified roof products.

2. Keep the Cool In

• Seal and insulate the cooling system ducts in your attic.
• Find air leaks around your house and seal them with spray foam, caulk, and weather-stripping. Sealing and insulating your home can save you up to $200 in annual utility bills.

3. Maintain Your Cooling System

• Schedule a summer cooling system tune up.
• Change your air filter every three months.
• Use a programmable thermostat. Set it seven degrees higher when you’re away and four degrees higher when you’re asleep and save about $180.

4. Be a Fan of Fans

• Use an ENERGY STAR certified ceiling fan and raise your thermostat two degrees. It’ll lower cooling costs by 14%.
• Use an ENERGY STAR certified vent fan after a shower to reduce humidity.

5. Look for the ENERGY STAR

• If your central air conditioning unit is more than 12 years old, replacing it with a model that has earned the ENERGY STAR could cut your cooling costs by 30%.
• Replace those old, hot incandescent light bulbs with much cooler ENERGY STAR certified light bulbs.

Excerpted from EnergyStar.gov.
Learn more at www.energystar.gov/cooling.

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