Beyond AC: How to prepare your home for extreme summer heat

Your air conditioner creates cooler, more comfortable air. But there’s a chance that cool air is escaping, and hot air is coming in, in a lot of different places. That could mean different rooms feel hotter than others and your air conditioning has to work harder, using more energy.

Experts with Energy Trust of Oregon, a nonprofit that helps people save energy in homes and buildings, says there are three areas where cool air most often escapes.

• Gaps and cracks around things like door and window frames, dryer vents, bathroom fans, and cable and internet lines: Small gaps and cracks are easy to miss but together could mean you’re losing as much air as having a window open around the clock.   

• Walls and attics: Many homes, especially older homes, do not have enough insulation to keep cool air in and heat out. Having the right amount of insulation is one of the most important things you can do to keep your home comfortable all year. 

• Older windows: Older windows are often single pane with worn seals, so they’re less insulated and create drafts. Newer energy-efficient windows have double or triple panes and better seals, keeping homes comfortable during hot weather.

These DIY fixes can help:

• Use caulk or weatherstripping to fill or seal those gaps around doors, windows, vents and other spots to lock the cool air inside.
• Check the airflow. Replace dirty air filters in the summer to keep your air conditioner from working harder. And make sure furniture isn't blocking vents in any room.

For larger projects like adding insulation, Energy Trust can lower the cost. Here’s some of the support available for changes that will help keep your home comfortable year-round.

• Up to 50% off insulation which could be added to the attic, walls, and floors  which could be added to the attic, walls, and floors 
• Up to $3,000 on energy-saving cooling options like heat pumps
• Discounts for new energy-saving windows
• $100 off smart thermostats, which can help you automatically manage your heating and cooling system (and an additional $50 off from July 1-August 31)

Energy Trust can connect you to a trusted, experienced contractor who can deduct these savings from your final bill and can also help you find professionals who can do a comprehensive home energy assessment which can help you pinpoint other ways to save energy and lower costs. You can also complete a free home energy assessment online in just a few minutes.

Click here for more information on ways to keep cool and save energy with Energy Trust.

About Energy Trust of Oregon  

Energy Trust of Oregon is an independent nonprofit created to help people, organizations, and communities save energy and connect to renewable power like solar. Funded by customers of Portland General Electric, Pacific Power, NW Natural, Cascade Natural Gas and Avista, Energy Trust services lower energy costs and help communities and utilities achieve their clean energy goals and build a strong future for Oregon. Learn more at www.energytrust.org/residential/incentives.