Green living expert

Keep Your Cool the Green Living Way

Pic by thrp

Let’s face it, heat saps our energy. With warm summer days upon us, we’re all trying to minimize indoor temperatures in order to maximize performance. Other than blasting the A/C, what can we do to keep cool? Here are some eco-friendly tips on cooling your home (and yourself!) when the heat is oppressive outside.

Appliances and Lighting

Don’t heat your home by leaving anything on unnecessarily:

1. avoid “phantom power” by unplugging electronics when not in use (you can save up to 10% on your utilities bill)
2. don’t use the oven; instead the microwave/stove or grill outside
3 wash only full loads of dishes and clothes
4. minimize activities that use hot devices i.e. curling irons or hair dryers – fortunately the ‘messy’ hair look is in!
5. install efficient ‘colder’ lighting such as LEDs as incandescent bulbs produce mainly heat

Energy efficient

Pic by twmurph

A/C

Ok, if your air conditioner is your BFF during torrid times, five simple considerations:

1. a ceiling fan allows the thermostat to be raised by 4°F with no change in comfort
2. lower blinds to prevent the sun from warming the interior, thereby decreasing A/C consumption
3 avoid placing lamps, TVs or PCs near the A/C thermostat as it senses their heat, causing the unit to run longer than required
4. use a thermostat timer; temporary and intermittent reduction of A/C has little impact on occupants and equates to reduced spending
5. adopt natural ventilation options

green living tips

Pic by Arlington County

Exterior

Make a difference outside your home too:

1. plant trees near the house to provide shade
2. a ‘green’ roof and high quality insulation help keep things cooler
3. seal cracks and openings to prevent warm air from entering
4. add caulk or weather stripping around doors and windows
5. undertaking these sustainability efforts makes a difference in expenditure and less energy consumption is good for the planet – a win/win situation for sure!

Follow Peter for more great tips on his Facebook page here

About

At the early age of 12, Peter designed his own bedroom to rave reviews and subsequently cultivated his passion for design. A graduate from the New York School of Interior Design, Peter has lived in Amsterdam, London, New York and more recently in Toronto where he founded Oudejans Interiors in 2010. Greatly influenced by his time abroad, Peter infuses a modern, European flare in his work, making an environment feel enduring, stylish and elegant, while ensuring functionality. He works closely with clients, tailoring their space to reflect their personality and lifestyle. Check out his website at www.oudejansinteriors.com

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One thought on “Keep Your Cool the Green Living Way

  1. Kaitlin

    thank you these tips on cooling down in the summer but also being environmentally friendly are brilliant. I will be trying them out. 🙂

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