Saving energy is important, both for your wallet and for the planet, and reducing HVAC costs is one of the best ways to save energy. By using natural methods of heating and cooling your home, you can reduce the load on your system, saving both money and energy. Here are a few tips for natural heating and cooling.
- Open windows. Before turning on the AC, check the weather. If it’s cooler outside than it is in your home, you can save energy by opening a window for a few hours and letting the cool air in. This is also a great way to improve your IAQ and probably the best access to natural heating and cooling.
- Insulation. It’s important to make sure your home is well insulated. Insulation slows the flow of heat, keeping warm air inside your home in the winter and preventing it from getting in during the summer. Check your attic to make sure you have enough insulation, and consider insulating your walls and floor as well.
- Cooking. If you enjoy cooking and baking, using the stove and the oven during the winter will make the kitchen warm, and that heat will spread through the house. Soups and stews are great in this regard. In the summer, cook less and grill more. Using the outdoor barbecue will help keep heat from accumulating in your home.
- Deciduous trees. While it takes a few years to come to fruition, planting trees like oak or maple in your yard near any south-facing windows is a great method of natural heating and cooling for your home. In the summer, the large, flat leaves provide shade from the sun. In winter, the leaves fall off, letting the sunlight through to warm your home.
- Curtains and drapes. While waiting for your trees to grow, use heavy curtains and drapes for any large windows. In the summer, you can close them during the day to keep the heat out. Then in the winter, leave them open to let the sunlight in.
For help with natural heating and cooling, both natural and HVAC, contact us at Ace Hardware Home Services. We’re Dayton’s trusted source for quality home-comfort solutions.
