Stay cool, naturally

Conserving energy rather than cranking up the AC will not only help cut greenhouse gas emissions but also keep your money in the bank. More than 40 percent of a typical family’s costs are spent keeping their home at a comfortable temperature. “Simple things like using ceiling fans and closing your curtains during the day can really help keep your house cool and reduce the amount of energy an air conditioner would use.” says Dr. Rick Smith, executive director of Environmental Defence. “When it comes to saving energy in your home, every little bit helps to offset climate change.” The David Suzuki Foundation echoes that thought: “Individual actions may seem small, but together they can change the world.”

With that in mind, here are 7 creative and low-impact ways to curb your energy output in the warmer seasons.

1. Think about nixing the air conditioner

No matter if they’re window models or central systems, air conditioners use a lot of electricity. Part of the reason many of us are so sticky and uncomfortable in summer is because of the humidity. Air conditioners take moisture out of the air, but they’re energy hogs because they also cool air and pump it indoors. More electricity means more greenhouse-gas emissions, and that means warming the Earth to keep you cool. Meanwhile, dehumidifiers also pull humidity

out of the air but use far less energy and in combination with ceiling or floor fans, you might be just fine without AC. But if you’re set on air conditioning, be sure to get an ENERGY STAR-qualified model (find detailed information on what to look for here) ENERGY STAR room air conditioners, such as the Fedders 8000 BTU Energy Star “Through the Wall” room air conditioner (available at The Home Depot), are up to 70 percent more energy efficient than a typical 20-year-old unit, and will cut your electricity bill in half. As for central air, according to the federal government’s Office of Energy Efficiency, ENERGY STAR-qualified central air-conditioning systems are about 10 percent more efficient than standard  models.

More AC advice? Make sure the unit is the right size for your space. There’s no point in having one that’s more powerful than you actually need. And get your air conditioner tuned up by licensed technicians at the start of the season, otherwise it may be overworked and will consume more energy, putting extra strain on your local electricity grid—and your wallet.

2. Fan rescue

It’s a centuries-old idea: cool off with a breeze. Ceiling and floor fans are great because they’re relatively inexpensive to buy and they use far less energy than ACs. ENERGY STAR-qualified ceiling fans, such as the 1.3 m Hampton Bay Aluminum Lighthouse, are 20 percent more energy efficient than older models, can make a room feel cooler and can save you up to $25 on your yearly utility bills. Reversible ceiling fans can be used year round as an efficient way to distribute air throughout a home. In the summer, the fan can create a breeze (set the fan to counter-clockwise). In the winter, set the fan to turn clockwise to push warmer air down into the room. Also, it’s a myth that fans cool spaces. Fans cool people, so turn them off when you’re not in the room.

3. Windows to the summer

When it’s really hot, close your windows, drapes and blinds during the day and open them up at night to let the cooler air indoors. Closing a window or drawing drapes in summer may feel counterintuitive, but in fact it’s a smart, free, environmentally friendly way to keep heat out. Canada’s early settlers often built homes with smaller windows (glass was expensive), which helped keep cool air in during the summer and hot air in during the winter.

4. Cross paths with the wind

It may seem cruel to bring up memories of biting winter winds, but in summer, the wind can be a cool friend. You can have refreshing breezes inside your home by strategically opening windows and doors. To get the most out of cross-ventilation, open windows that are opposite each other and make sure the path is clear for the air to travel from one to the other.

5. Insulation, insulation, insulation

Having a well-insulated home is important in hot weather, not just in the bitter months of winter. In the past, attics were often left uninsulated because people believed this allowed for ventilation. In fact, during the summer, all that hot air rising up from indoors and coming in from the outside hovers like a warm blanket over bedroom ceilings on summer nights. Insulating your attic—and your basement—and sealing the holes and gaps wherever air leaks in will help keep your home cooler.

6. In the heat of the bright

It’s a fact that 90 percent of electricity used by traditional incandescent light bulbs is lost in heat. Which isn’t good news during the summer, when you’re trying to keep cool. A more enlightened option is to choose compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs), which produce 75 percent less heat and use some 75 percent less energy than standard incandescents. CFLs also last up to 10 times longer, which means fewer bulbs and packaging going into landfills. Focus on the most-used fixtures in your home, which are usually kitchen ceiling lights, living-room or family-room lamps and outdoor porch or post lamps. And consider changing to ENERGY STAR-qualified light fixtures. Companies such as Sea Gull Lighting offer ENERGY STAR-qualified fixtures in almost every style for every room. The company was named the 2008 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the fourth time and for the second year running, and was awarded the additional designation of Sustained Excellence by the EPA. Its products are widely available in Canada.

7. Cool shades

Imagine a parasol that shades your home in summer and lets the sunlight through to warm you when the cold sets in. The parasol is totally natural and eco friendly. And since we’re dreaming, let’s say it’s a pollution-fighter that absorbs carbon dioxide—one of the major greenhouse gases contributing to global warming. We’re talking, of course, about deciduous trees. They’re miracle-workers. Strategically planted around your house, they provide visual pleasure, contribute to the health of your neighbourhood, cool you in summer and allow you to benefit from the sun in winter.

And if you can’t accommodate a tree in your own yard, contact your municipality to ask for more trees to be planted in your neighbourhood.