Nov2011_PREPARE YOUR HOME TO STAY COOL IN SUMMER
The mercury is rising, but your energy bill doesn’t have to if you prepare your home for the summer months.
Ausgrid’s energy efficiency expert Paul Myors said there were simple steps you could take to stay cool without burning a hole in your pocket. “A four person household can cut up to 10% off their electricity bill and up to one tonne of CO2 from household emissions by planning ahead and cooling efficiently,” Mr Myors said.
Ausgrid’s energy efficiency expert Paul Myors said there were simple steps you could take to stay cool without burning a hole in your pocket. “A four person household can cut up to 10% off their electricity bill and up to one tonne of CO2 from household emissions by planning ahead and cooling efficiently,” Mr Myors said.
“Taking advantage of cool breezes minimises the need to actively cool with air-conditioners and fans and helps keep your summer bill down.”
Ceiling insulation can reduce indoor temperatures by as much as 10 degrees in summer and cut your cooling costs by up to 30%, while shading windows will help prevent heat from entering your house in the first place. “Each square metre of direct sun on or through windows can be like running a one bar radiator in your home so try shading windows with external blinds, pergolas, or trees and plants,” he said.
One of the most cost-effective ways to cool your home this summer is to leave doors and windows on opposite sides of your home open to take advantage of natural breezes and make the most of cross ventilation. Even when the wind is not blowing, you can enhance the benefit of ceiling insulation and reduce the temperature in the roof cavity by installing spinning roof vents commonly called Whirly Birds.
“On milder summer days consider opting for a fan over the air conditioner. By circulating air around the room, fans can make it feel around three degrees cooler, and they cost as little as $5 a year to run,” Mr Myors said.
“It’s also wise to buy a thermometer to know exactly how warm it is inside. With a cool breeze flowing though your home you should be comfortable in low 20 degree Celsius temperatures.
Top 5 tips for a cool summer:
· Catch the breeze: Leave security grilles closed but open doors, windows and louvers on opposite sides of your home to make the most of cross ventilation.
· Insulate: Ceiling insulation can reduce indoor temperatures by as much as 10 degrees in summer and cut cooling costs by up to 30 per cent.
· Stay in the shade: Use external blinds, well placed trees, vines and pergolas to help stop the sun heating your home and keep the temperature down inside.
· Fan-tastic: Pedestal and ceiling fans are cheap to run and keep you cool.
· Set the right temperature: Air conditioners should be set between 23 and 26 degrees during summer. Put it on the re-circulate setting and close the doors and windows in the area you are cooling.
For more tips to prepare your home for summer, visit www.ausgrid.com.au/waystosave.
Ceiling insulation can reduce indoor temperatures by as much as 10 degrees in summer and cut your cooling costs by up to 30%, while shading windows will help prevent heat from entering your house in the first place. “Each square metre of direct sun on or through windows can be like running a one bar radiator in your home so try shading windows with external blinds, pergolas, or trees and plants,” he said.
One of the most cost-effective ways to cool your home this summer is to leave doors and windows on opposite sides of your home open to take advantage of natural breezes and make the most of cross ventilation. Even when the wind is not blowing, you can enhance the benefit of ceiling insulation and reduce the temperature in the roof cavity by installing spinning roof vents commonly called Whirly Birds.
“On milder summer days consider opting for a fan over the air conditioner. By circulating air around the room, fans can make it feel around three degrees cooler, and they cost as little as $5 a year to run,” Mr Myors said.
“It’s also wise to buy a thermometer to know exactly how warm it is inside. With a cool breeze flowing though your home you should be comfortable in low 20 degree Celsius temperatures.
Top 5 tips for a cool summer:
· Catch the breeze: Leave security grilles closed but open doors, windows and louvers on opposite sides of your home to make the most of cross ventilation.
· Insulate: Ceiling insulation can reduce indoor temperatures by as much as 10 degrees in summer and cut cooling costs by up to 30 per cent.
· Stay in the shade: Use external blinds, well placed trees, vines and pergolas to help stop the sun heating your home and keep the temperature down inside.
· Fan-tastic: Pedestal and ceiling fans are cheap to run and keep you cool.
· Set the right temperature: Air conditioners should be set between 23 and 26 degrees during summer. Put it on the re-circulate setting and close the doors and windows in the area you are cooling.
For more tips to prepare your home for summer, visit www.ausgrid.com.au/waystosave.
