Draw your curtains and chill out

As summer temperatures — and utility bills — rise, there are some easy ways to keep cool that are cheaper and greener than air conditioning.

A little savvy about when to open windows and when to keep them closed with curtains drawn goes a long way toward cooling a home, as does putting thought into what cooling appliances to use and when, the experts say.

COOLING CURTAINS

Pull down the shades or draw the curtains on windows facing south, east and west during the day, says Con Edison, which provides power to New York City and surrounding areas. It says 40 per cent of unwanted heat comes in through the windows. Even if air conditioning is needed later in the day, drawing the curtains earlier means you can use less of it.

GET IN THE FLOW

When outdoor temperatures fall below 21 C, turn off the air conditioner and open the windows instead. In climates with low to moderate humidity, where it’s cold in the evening, a “wholehouse” fan to help draw cool air in through windows and force hot air out through upstairs vents is extremely helpful.

BECOME A FAN OF FANS

Ceiling fans are a great substitute for air conditioning when it’s not overly hot or humid, and they make you feel cooler by moving air across your skin. If you need to buy fans, look for Energy Star ratings. Also, many ceiling fans feature a light kit, so make sure each socket has an energy-saving LED bulb inside. LED bulbs use five times less energy than the old incandescents and don’t give off as much heat.