It’s about to get hot – we all know it, but we don’t have to suffer through it. Take some tips from Tacoma Power’s energy experts on beating the heat this summer.
Keep your cool
- Planning to purchase a heat pump to escape the heat? Tacoma Power offers up to $1,000 in incentives to help you install the most energy-efficient system.
- Insulating your attic and replacing windows will help keep your home cooler. Our weatherization program offers rebates, grants and loans to help you improve the efficiency and comfort of your home.
Simple tips
- Replace old-fashioned, heat-generating incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent lights (CFLs). CFLs produce 90 percent less heat than incandescent lights.
- Close your curtains and blinds on summer days to keep the heat out.
- Keep your windows closed in the heat of the day. Open them in the cool of the night or in the morning, and use a ceiling fan to create a cross breeze. And, turning on the kitchen and bathroom fans will pull cooler air into your home.
- If you have air conditioning, set your thermostat to 78 degrees. You’ll stay cool and save energy.
- Try to minimize using the oven, clothes dryer and other heat-producing devices during the heat of the day.
Just a little more effort
- Plant trees or install a trellis on the south and west sides of the house to shade it from direct sunlight.
- Install exterior or roll-up blinds over windows that face south and west.
- If you’re planning to purchase a portable air conditioner, look for the Energy Star label. Energy Star-qualified air conditioners use 10 percent less energy than standard models. Be sure the unit is the right size for the room you intend to cool.