Heat Build-Up
During the summer, we often think about how to stay cool while saving energy and money on utility bills. While there are many adjustments you can make to your home cooling system to save energy, it’s also important to reduce heat build-up in your home so that your cooling system doesn’t have to work overtime.
Viewer Tip: Simple changes to your daily activities on hot days can help reduce the amount of heat build-up in your home.
- Cooking: On hot days, use the stovetop or microwave instead of the oven. If you cook on the stovetop, use the ventilation fan to remove heat from your home.
- Showering and bathing: Using hot water can heat up your home. Use a ventilation fan while showering and bathing to remove heat and humidity.
- Appliances: Wait until the early morning or evening hours to use appliances that generate heat, including the dishwasher, clothes dryer and small devices like hair dryers and curling irons. Stereos, televisions and computers also generate some heat.
(Source: U.S. Department of Energy. “Energy Savers: Avoiding Heat Buildup.” http://www.energysavers.gov/your_home/space_heating_cooling/index.cfm/mytopic=12353)
