Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel - Your Residential Utility Consumer Advocate
Ohio Consumers Counsel 50 Years

Need Assistance? Assistance may be available for Ohioans who need help paying their utility bills.

ShareShare:
download pdf link

Beat the Heat: Summer Cooling Tips

summer cooling tips

Many Ohioans want to beat the heat during the hot summer months. This fact sheet shares several ways to help keep homes cool and save money on energy bills when temperatures soar.

Block heat 

Prevent the sun from heating the home. These tips can help reduce air conditioning usage:

  • Close window coverings during the day; or
  • Install a special Low-E “low-emissivity” film to windows; and
  • Seal leaks around doors and windows.

Trees planted around the home, especially on the southern and western-facing sides, can also help in the long term.

Manage humidity 

Moisture in the home can make it feel warmer. Relative humidity (RH) is a measure of both the air’s moisture and temperature. Hygrometers measure RH, which should ideally be between 30-50 percent in the home all year. Managing a home’s humidity can increase comfort and reduce air conditioning usage. Avoid adding moisture to the home when possible. One way is to use exhaust fans for no longer than 20 minutes after cooking or bathing.

Dehumidifiers 

Although dehumidifiers remove moisture, they also create heat. Avoid using a dehumidifier in the same room that an air conditioner is operating. To control moisture and reduce the need for a dehumidifier, keep the basement door closed when windows are open.

Heat producers 

Limit heat producers and keep them away from the thermostat. Turn off unnecessary heat-producing devices, such as some light bulbs, appliances, and electronics. Use a microwave, slow cooker, air fryer, or an outdoor grill instead of a conventional oven. Do not use the dishwasher’s dry cycle and instead let the dishes air dry. Use the dishwasher and do laundry after the sun has set. Air dry clothes outside to avoid adding humidity.

Using fans 

Using fans during mild weather and at night, instead of an air conditioner, can save on cooling costs. Also, fans can make it easier for air conditioner users to adjust the thermostat up a few degrees to reduce energy use. In the summer, ceiling fan blades should move in a counterclockwise direction so air blows toward the floor. Turn off fans when leaving a room. Fans do not cool rooms—their breeze cools the skin when humidity is low.

Whole house fans 

Reduce the indoor temperature by a few degrees by using a whole house or attic fan. It is best to use whole-house fans during cooler times of the day or at night. A whole house fan pulls in air from open windows and exhausts warm air out through properly sized attic and roof vents. Whole-house fans should not be used while using an air conditioner. For the whole house fan to work properly, the house needs large attic vents and windows must be open for pressure relief.

Central air conditioners 

Central air conditioners are an easy but more costly way to keep the home cool during the hot summer months. It is best used with other cooling methods (see above). To save money, it’s best to set the thermostat to 78 degrees. Raising the temperature by five to seven degrees for eight hours can lower an electric bill by up to 10 percent a year. A programmable or a smart thermostat that can be set at desired temperatures throughout the day can make it easier.

Regular maintenance, like tune-ups and filter cleaning or replacement, will improve energy efficiency. When buying an AC unit, make sure it’s the right size for the home. Bigger isn’t always better because it can lead to higher costs and reduce comfort. Look for units with Energy Star ratings and have them installed by a qualified professional.

If the home doesn’t have air conditioning, seek refuge from the heat at a public indoor place during extreme heat waves. Some communities offer cooling centers during extreme heat. Contact the county emergency management agency or local health department for locations.

Beat the heat this summer with these tips for staying cool and saving money. (1 min. video)

Window air conditioners 

As with central air, it is important to conduct annual maintenance before each cooling season and clean or replace filters monthly. Refer to the manual for proper maintenance. Turn off or reduce settings when leaving a room. Close the room’s door and keep windows closed to reduce the amount of air that needs cooled.

Heat pumps 

Heat pumps draw warm air from the home, releases it outdoors, and dehumidifies and cools indoor air. This air is then forced by a fan into the duct system and is circulated throughout the home. Programmable thermostats are generally not recommended for heat pumps. To learn more about heat pumps, visit www.energy.gov/energysaver/heat-and-cool/heat-pumps.

More cooling tips 

Try these additional tips to help keep cool:

  • Drink lots of water;
  • Wear short-sleeved, loose, light-colored clothing;
  • Take cool showers;
  • Considering going to a lake or local swimming pool or using a yard sprinkler; and
  • Keep cool air from escaping up the chimney by closing fireplace doors or using a chimney balloon or flue plug.

For more energy efficiency tips visit Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel’s and the Department of Energy’s websites at www.occ.ohio.gov and www.energy.gov/energysaver.
 

 

To download: Click the folder with a down arrow icon. To print: Click the printer icon in the top right of the display.

If you need multiple copies for an organization or group, please contact a member of our outreach team.