Message from the Consumers' Counsel:

10 ways to prepare your home for cooling season

Now that spring has officially arrived, the shift in the energy you use is likely to become more apparent as the days pass and warmer weather emerges. With this shift from natural gas to electricity, there are other strategies that you may consider to save money on your monthly utility bills.

In the winter, you may have taken simple energy efficiency steps like installing home insulation kits, turning back your thermostat while you were away from home or sleeping and conducting monthly maintenance on your water heater and furnace.

Some of the winter steps you took can also transcend into the spring to save money but there also are at least 10 additional measures you may take advantage of to help make your home more energy efficient all year.

1. Get an air-conditioner tune up – Just as you would get your furnace tuned up before the winter heating season kicks into full swing, do the same for your air conditioner before the summer cooling season. A tune up will ensure your air conditioner is working its best throughout the summer and high cooling costs may be avoided with an air conditioner that is running more efficiently.

2. Switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs – CFL bulbs last up to 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs. A single CFL bulb can save you $30 or more over its lifespan.

3. Conserve water – Install low-flow showerheads, faucet aerators and wrap older water heaters. Insulating your water heater will reduce heat from escaping the tank and low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators will reduce the amount of hot water you use.

4. Use the OCC’s Smart Energy House – The OCC’s Smart Energy House is an interactive tool that gives consumers a break down of how much energy various household appliances use, what the benefits are of owning more efficient appliance and offering tips on how to set you on your way to using less energy.

5. Use shading to keep heat out – Planting trees on the southwest side of your home will help block the most intense heat of the day. Drapes and blinds can help divert the sun too. Also, low-e film can be placed on windows to help block the sun’s rays from heating your home.

6. Utilize a programmable thermostat – This technology allows you to set your thermostat to comfortable temperatures while you’re at home and to energy savings modes while you are away or asleep. Once set, the thermostat does the rest to efficiently regulate the temperature in your home at all hours of the day.

7. Take advantage of utility-sponsored programs – Some utilities have made programs available that will help consumers become more energy efficient. Check with your utility providers to see what programs they may offer to save energy.

8. Add more insulation – Upgrading home insulation and sealing leaks can help save up to 30 percent on energy bills. This will keep air-conditioning in the spring and summer, and heating in the winter, from escaping and subsequently keep it from turning on as frequently.

9. Open windows, raise thermostat – The early morning and nighttime hours may be the best time to take strain off your air conditioner and let fresh air into your home. By eliminating the times when you need to cool your home, you may find energy bills also will take some strain off your wallet.

10. Use ventilation fans sparingly – Ventilation fans are a pathway to let in outdoor air or lose already conditioned air. Use these fans sparingly during the hottest times of the day. On the other hand, ceiling fans can circulate air throughout the home more efficiently than the air conditioner can by itself. Using the two together can allow you to set the thermostat higher while maintaining a comfortable temperature.

Heating and cooling in the typical U.S. home accounts for approximately 56 percent of its energy use, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. By using these tips in your home, you can be well on your way to becoming more energy conscious and paying a smaller utility bill.

Best regards,

Janine L. Migden-Ostrander