Press Release

Preparing for Summer

Did you know that the typical U.S. family spends close to $1,300 a year on their home's utility bills? By using a few inexpensive energy-efficient measures, you can reduce your energy bills by 10% to 50%.

The first step to taking a whole-house energy efficiency approach is to find out which parts of your house use the most energy. A home energy audit will show you where these are and suggest the most effective measures for reducing your energy costs.

Keeping cool indoors when it is hot outdoors is a problem. The sun beating down on our homes causes indoor temperatures to rise to uncomfortable levels. Air conditioning provides some relief. But the initial costs of installing an air conditioner and the electricity costs to run it can be high.

Staying Cool
The primary source of heat buildup (i.e., heat gain) is sunlight absorbed by your house through the roof, walls, and windows. Secondary sources are heat-generating appliances in the home and air leakage. Reflecting Heat Away

Windows
Roughly 40% of the unwanted heat that builds up in your home comes in through windows. Reflective window coatings are one way to reflect heat away from your home.
Insulation
Weatherization measures-such as insulating, weatherstripping, and caulking-help seal and protect your house against the summer heat in addition to keeping out the winter cold.
Shading
Shading your home can reduce indoor temperatures by as much as 20° F. Shading can be provided by trees and other vegetation and exterior or interior shades.

Shading Devices
Both exterior and interior shades control heat gain. Exterior shades are generally more effective than interior shades because they block sunlight before it enters windows. Exterior shading devices include awnings, louvers, shutters, rolling shutters and shades, and solar screens.

Solar screens resemble standard window screens except they keep direct sunlight from entering the window, cut glare, and block light without blocking the view or eliminating air flow. Although interior shading is not as effective as exterior shading, it is worthwhile if none of the previously mentioned techniques are possible. There are several ways to block the sun's heat from inside your house.

Draperies and curtains made of tightly woven, light-colored, opaque fabrics reflect more of the sun's rays than they let through. The tighter the curtain is against the wall around the window, the better it will prevent heat gain. Two layers of draperies improve the effectiveness of the draperies' insulation when it is either hot or cold outside.

Removing Built-Up Heat
The climate you live in determines the best ventilation strategy. In areas with cool nights and very hot days, let the night air in to cool your house. A well-insulated house will gain only 1° F per hour if the outside temperature is 85° to 90° F. By the time the interior heats up, the outside air should be cooler and can be allowed indoors.

Reducing Heat-Generating Sources
Many household appliances generate a lot of heat. When possible, use them in the morning or late evening when you can better tolerate the extra heat. Consider cooking on an outside barbecue grill or use a microwave oven, which does not generate as much heat and uses less energy than a gas or electric range.

Washers, dryers, dishwashers, and water heaters also generate large amounts of heat and humidity. To gain the most benefit, seal off your laundry room and water heater from the rest of the house.

Saving Energy
Ceiling fans make you feel cooler. Their effect is equivalent to lowering the air temperature by about 4° F. Evaporative coolers use about one-fourth the energy of conventional air conditioners but are effective only in dry climates. Using any or all of these strategies will help keep you cool. Even if you use air conditioning, many of these strategies, particularly reflecting heat and shading, will help reduce the energy costs of running an air conditioner.


	Preparing for Summer Did you know that the typical U.S. family spends close to $1,300 a year on their home's utility bills? By using a few inexpensive energy-efficient measures, you can reduce your energy bills by 10% to 50%. The first step to taking a whole-house energy efficiency approach is to find out which parts of your house use the most energy. A home energy audit will show you where these are and suggest the most effective measures for reducing your energy costs. Keeping cool indoors when it is hot outdoors is a problem. The sun beating down on our homes causes indoor temperatures to rise to uncomfortable levels. Air conditioning provides some relief. But the initial costs of installing an air conditioner and the electricity costs to run it can be high. Staying Cool The primary source of heat buildup (i.e., heat gain) is sunlight absorbed by your house through the roof, walls, and windows. Secondary sources are heat-generating appliances in the home and air leakage. Reflecting Heat Away *Windows* Roughly 40% of the unwanted heat that builds up in your home comes in through windows. Reflective window coatings are one way to reflect heat away from your home. *Insulation* Weatherization measures-such as insulating, weatherstripping, and caulking-help seal and protect your house against the summer heat in addition to keeping out the winter cold. *Shading* Shading your home can reduce indoor temperatures by as much as 20° F. Shading can be provided by trees and other vegetation and exterior or interior shades. Shading Devices Both exterior and interior shades control heat gain. Exterior shades are generally more effective than interior shades because they block sunlight before it enters windows. Exterior shading devices include awnings, louvers, shutters, rolling shutters and shades, and solar screens. Solar screens resemble standard window screens except they keep direct sunlight from entering the window, cut glare, and block light without blocking the view or eliminating air flow. Although interior shading is not as effective as exterior shading, it is worthwhile if none of the previously mentioned techniques are possible. There are several ways to block the sun's heat from inside your house. Draperies and curtains made of tightly woven, light-colored, opaque fabrics reflect more of the sun's rays than they let through. The tighter the curtain is against the wall around the window, the better it will prevent heat gain. Two layers of draperies improve the effectiveness of the draperies' insulation when it is either hot or cold outside. Removing Built-Up Heat The climate you live in determines the best ventilation strategy. In areas with cool nights and very hot days, let the night air in to cool your house. A well-insulated house will gain only 1° F per hour if the outside temperature is 85° to 90° F. By the time the interior heats up, the outside air should be cooler and can be allowed indoors. Reducing Heat-Generating Sources Many household appliances generate a lot of heat. When possible, use them in the morning or late evening when you can better tolerate the extra heat. Consider cooking on an outside barbecue grill or use a microwave oven, which does not generate as much heat and uses less energy than a gas or electric range. Washers, dryers, dishwashers, and water heaters also generate large amounts of heat and humidity. To gain the most benefit, seal off your laundry room and water heater from the rest of the house. Saving Energy Ceiling fans make you feel cooler. Their effect is equivalent to lowering the air temperature by about 4° F. Evaporative coolers use about one-fourth the energy of conventional air conditioners but are effective only in dry climates. Using any or all of these strategies will help keep you cool. Even if you use air conditioning, many of these strategies, particularly reflecting heat and shading, will help reduce the energy costs of running an air conditioner.