Last week was one for the record books, and summer is just getting started. Hopefully temperatures won’t rise to anywhere near 115 again, but with a little preparation, you can be ready for whatever the season brings.
“Even in a typical summer, staying cool can be a real struggle, let alone in a heat wave,” Clark Public Utilities Energy Counselor of the Day Trevor Frick said. “But there are a number of things a person can do to beat the heat, whether it’s a quick fix or a lasting home investment.”
Fans don’t lower the temperature, but they’re very cheap to operate and the breeze can help you feel more comfortable. If your home has central air, set your thermostat to “fan” to allow a draft to circulate throughout the home without the extra energy usage of running AC.
When the temperatures are high, avoid cooking on the stovetop or using the oven as much as possible — especially around dinnertime; the day’s hottest temperatures are around 5 p.m. in Clark County. The residual heat can really warm up the rest of the house. So use the season to get epicurious. Try making more salads, cold prep-meals or cooking outdoors. The season is perfect for barbecuing.
Use the temperature swings to your advantage. When the mercury drops, open your windows to allow a cool breeze in — typically the evening through early morning — just remember to close them up before the temperature begins to rise.
“Heat seeks cold,” Frick said. “If you open your windows when the temperature drops, your home will cool down and the heat will move where you want it — outside. Placing a box fan in the window will purge the air even quicker.”
If you have pets or small children in the home, set up a barrier for their protection. Screens are not safety devices and won’t prevent an accident.
Close the blinds or drapes on the sunny side of your home, typically the south and west sides, to stop the sun from warming indoor spaces. It’s even better to shade windows from the outside, using something like outdoor blinds, shutters or awnings.
If the latest heat wave convinced you it’s time for air conditioning, do some research before buying. Portable and window units are affordable, convenient and widely available, but choose one that matches your conditions. A unit that’s too small for your space will struggle to keep you cool. One that’s too large may drive up energy expenses. You’ll get the most for your money when you select a model that’s Energy Star-rated. To conserve more and maximize comfort, consider only cooling the room you’re in.
If your home has air conditioning and it’s been a year or longer since its last inspection, contact a reputable heating and cooling contractor to review it soon.
“Just remember, permanently installed cooling systems are designed to keep your house cool under normal summer conditions, so don’t be concerned if the system was not able to maintain your normal thermostat setting during this historic heat wave,” Frick said.
If you own an electrically heated home, installing a heat pump or ductless heat pump will help you stay comfortable all year long and reduce home climate expenses for years to come. Clark Public Utilities estimates its customers can save about 30 percent on their electric heating costs when they switch from zonal heaters to a ductless heat pump. Plus, they’ll enjoy quiet, efficient and affordable climate control every day of the year.
Clark Public Utilities offers generous rebates and low interest financing to help make this money-saving investment more affordable to everyone.
Certain conditions apply to qualify for rebates. Visit clarkpublicutilities.com/rebates to learn more. To learn more about heat pumps and what it could do for your home, you can also call the Energy Counselor of the Day during business hours at 360-992-3355.
Energy Adviser is written by Clark Public Utilities. Send questions to ecod@clarkpud.com or to Energy Adviser, c/o Clark Public Utilities, P.O. Box 8900, Vancouver, WA 98688.
