UN-L for Families

Cool Ideas for a Home's Interior Will Reduce Costs

In case you haven’t noticed it is HOT outside and many times inside our homes are warmer than we want it to be. Examine potential changes that could be made to reduce heat and moisture generation in the home, improve comfort and reduce utility costs.
Lighting and appliances can be responsible for much of the heat generating from inside the home. Use linear fluorescent and energy-efficient compact fluorescent lamps in fixtures. Although they may cost a little more initially, fluorescent lamps use about 75 percent less energy than incandescent lamps, and emit 90 percent less heat for the same amount of light. They last 6 to 10 times longer, making them less expensive over time. Replacing 25 percent of your lights in high-use areas can save about 50 percent on lighting costs.
Many household appliances also generate a lot of heat. Use them in the morning or late evening. Washers, dryers, dishwashers and water heaters generate large amounts of heat and humidity. New, energy-efficient appliances generate less heat and use less energy. Appliances often display an EnergyGuide label indicating the annual estimate cost for operation and a standardized energy efficiency ration. Compare appliances and buy the most efficient models for your needs.
Also, look for the ENERGY STAR label. This label indicates the energy efficiency and cost effectiveness of the product. When buying new or used appliances, windows, equipment and electronic products, consider the initial cost of the item and cost to run it over its expected lifetime.
When cooking, use the range exhaust vent to reduce heat and moisture. Make sure it is vented to the outside, not into the attic or wall. Use exhaust vents while showering, and be sure the dryer is vented to the exterior.
Have your air conditioner serviced and cleaned for efficient operation. Replace filters as required. Reflecting heat and shading air conditioners with shade will help reduce energy costs of operating.
Ceiling fans work by making you feel cooler due to the air movement across the skin. Their effect is equivalent to lowering the air temperature by about 4 degrees. They don’t necessary move large amount of air in other areas in the home or bring in cool breezes.
Manage interior shading devices and window treatments to block out sunlight. Light colored linings and interior shading devices are more effective than dark colored window treatments, but not as effective as exterior shading devices that reflect heat and prevent interior in the first place.
Try a few of these ideas and see if you don’t at least feel a little cooler and maybe you will also notice the difference in your cooling costs.
For more information on saving energy in your home contact your local University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension office.