Summer Cooling Tips

Maintain: Schedule annual preseason maintenance checkups with a licensed contractor to ensure your system is operating efficiently. Check the air filter monthly and replace it as needed. Finally, use a caulk gun to seal leaks around windows, doors, and ducts that cause drafts and make your heating and cooling system work overtime. Enter to win a Honda Insight valued at $20,510!

Take Advantage of Shade Reduce the load on your air-conditioner by shading east-, south-, and west-facing windows. Outside, extend roof eaves or add a trellis or awning to shade windows. Add tinted window film to lessen the effects of radiant heat and UV light while maintaining views.

Turn Up Your Thermostat The recommended temperature setting for comfort and energy savings in an air-conditioned room is 78 degrees Fahrenheit. Resist the urge to drop the temperature for a quick cool, which taxes your cooling unit.

Insulate Your Attic If an attic inspection reveals insulation scattered halfheartedly among the floor trusses, head to your local home improvement center to get more. If you use your attic for storage, don't remove all those boxes; simply insulate between the joints. In terms of reduced energy costs, the payback time for a few hundred dollar's worth of insulation can typically be measured in months, not years.

Put Windows to Work Close your house tightly during the heat of the day. Don't just close windows; lock them to create an airtight seal that eliminates cool-air leaks. If outdoor temperatures are cool at night, cross-ventilate rooms by opening windows. Close them again in the morning to seal in the cool air. Also, close curtains or lower shades during the day.

Reduce Ambient Heat Culprits Your cooling apparatus will work less -- and use less energy -- if you cut back on interior elements generating heat. Ninety-five percent of the energy an incandescent light bulb uses goes to heating the bulb; install compact fluorescent bulbs instead. Shutting down unused electronics also reduces heat (and your electricity costs). Use your dryer in the early morning or late evening, or use a clothesline instead.

Install a Whole-House Fan It uses a fraction of the electricity of a full-blown air-conditioning system. It's best suited for areas with hot summer days coupled with cool nights, such as the Pacific Northwest. All night, the fan pulls in outside air to cool the house. Many whole-house fans can be programmed to shut off during the warmest hours of the day. Enter to win a Honda Insight valued at $20,510!

Scott's Contracting is available by appointment for Free Estimates with your Home Repairs and Up Grades. email:scottscontracting@gmail.com http://www.stlouisrenewableenergy.com