Keeping your thermostat at a moderate temperature during the summer and winter months can reduce your energy consumption that also translates into cost saving benefits. Sources recommend setting your thermostat at 68°F in the winter and 78°F in the summer.
Ideally, your residence is well insulated and well sealed.
- Proper insulation not only keeps your home warm in the winter, but cool during the summer seasons as well. Insulation should be considered from top to bottom to include the ceilings, walls, and floors. Rather using insulation made of traditional fiberglass, consider using alternative materials such as recycled newspapers, hemp fibers, and denim.
- Air seal your home by find air leaks and drafts or gaps in your insulation, walls and windows and filling them. Weather strip all your doors and windows to start.
- Replace old windows with energy efficient ones. Although it may be initially costly, the long-term benefits make it worthwhile.
During the winter, you can keep the temperature even lower (=< 65°F) and compensate with the following tips.
- Keep the temperature lower during the day and turn it up in the evening. Turn it down again before you go to bed. During unoccupied and inactive times, the temperature can be set down to 60 degrees.
- Wear more layers.
- Close doors to rooms not in use.
- Close curtains or shutters at night to trap in warm air and prevent drafts.
- Use a rug to insulate your floor. I personally prefer wooden floors and despise wall-to-wall carpeting, but a simple carpet (even if only used during the winter) can make a noticeable different.
- Use a space heater when appropriate.
- If you are a renter, seal your windows (which will remain closed all winter) with plastic shrink-film. Sold at hardware stores and easy to install, windows are covered with sheets of plastic and sealed in place with a hair dryer.
During the summer months open your windows and use a fan. If you need to use an air conditioner, make sure to maintain your air conditioning unit, especially by cleaning or replacing the filters regularly.
EERE Consumer’s Guide: Maintaining Your Air Conditioner
I came across another 100 Ways to Save the Environment list that I like better that the one in my previous post because it is sorted by topics.
(I will expand on some of the tips above by providing additional information and resources on future posts.)
Green Rabbit 