Message from ENERGYSTAR.gov

Keep the Heat Out

• Improve insulation between your attic and roof. If your home experiences hot ceilings, walls, or whole rooms, uneven temperatures between rooms, or high heating or cooling bills, adding insulation in your attic can help you maintain the desired temperature throughout your home and make a real difference on your utility bills.
• Replacing your windows? Consider ENERGY STAR®! With ENERGY STAR certified windows you can stay cool all summer long. Most ENERGY STAR certified windows reduce the “heat gain” into your home more than typical windows do, without reducing the visible light. You’ll get the light you need without the uncomfortable heat.
• To keep out the sun’s heat, close window shades and drapes in warm weather.
• The right roof can do a lot to keep the heat out. Consider ENERGY STAR certified roof products.

Keep the Cool In

• Properly size your room ac for comfort and savings. An oversized unit will cool the room but only remove some of the humidity, leaving the room with a damp, clammy feeling. Learn how to choose the right size for your room ac.
• Seal and insulate the cooling system ducts in your attic.
• Find air leaks around your house and seal them with spray foam, caulk, and weather-stripping. Sealing and insulating your home can save you up to $200 in annual utility bills.

Maintain Your Cooling System

• Schedule a summer cooling system tune up to help keep your HVAC system at peak performance and prevent future problems.
• Change your air filter every three months. A dirty filter slows down air flow and makes your system work harder to keep you comfortable
• Choose a new ENERGY STAR certified smart thermostat to get demonstrated energy savings and environmental benefits, reliable performance, and convenience, insight, and control.
• If you have a manual or programmable thermostat, set the temperature up to save energy when you’re asleep or away from home. Follow the instructions and use the insulation materials included with your room ac to minimize costly and uncomfortable air leaks. ENERGY STAR certified room air conditioners come with clear instructions and high-quality insulation to create a better seal and improve comfort and savings.

Be a Fan of Fans

• ENERGY STAR certified ceiling fans move more air using less power. In the summer, use the ceiling fan in the counterclockwise direction. While standing directly under the ceiling fan you should feel a cool breeze. The airflow produced creates a wind-chill effect, making you "feel" cooler. On hotter days, raising the thermostat by only two degrees and using a ceiling fan can reduce air conditioning costs by up to 14%.
• Use an ENERGY STAR certified vent fan after a shower to reduce humidity.

Look for the ENERGY STAR

• Make the cool choice with an ENERGY STAR certified room air conditioner. You’ll get comfort, energy savings, and improved sealing and insulation around the unit—and it’ll cost about $70 per year to run!
• ENERGY STAR certified room air conditioners with connected functionality offer additional convenience, comfort, and energy savings, including the ability to:
  • Turn off the unit remotely using your phone or computer
  • Schedule changes to temperature settings based on your needs
  • Receive feedback on the energy use of the product

• If your central air conditioning unit is more than 12 years old, replacing it with a model that has earned the ENERGY STAR could cut your cooling costs by 30%.
• Replace those old, hot incandescent light bulbs with much cooler ENERGY STAR certified LED light bulbs. ENERGY STAR certified LED bulbs produce about 70-90% less heat, so they’re safer to operate and can cut energy costs associated with home cooling.