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Stay Cool
Air conditioning accounts for up to 6% of a home's energy on average for homes with AC. A few easy steps can help you keep cool, lower your AC use, and save money.
Close windows, doors and drapes during the day:
Capture cool air. One of the easiest ways to save energy on air conditioning is to keep the hot sun out of the house during the day. If you live in a climate where it cools off at night, turn your AC off and open your windows at night to cool your home. Then in the morning, shut the windows and curtains or blinds to capture the cool air.
Reflect heat. Medium colored draperies with white plastic backings can reduce heat gains by up to 33%. Shades work the same as drapes. For extra efficiency invest in extra insulating dual shades, where one side is white and one is dark. Face the dark side inside during the summer to reflect more heat out. During the winter, reverse them so the dark side faces outside to absorb more heat.
Aim blinds up. If you have blinds, you can open them slightly and direct light up towards the ceiling without any significant heat gain. This way you can have light and keep cool. Learn more about energy efficient window coverings.
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