4) Keep Cool in the Kitchen
Your kitchen is another big source of heat inside your home. Avoid running your appliances such as the dishwasher (or clothes dryer) during the day. Instead, run it at night and only when it is fully loaded. Instead of heating up the oven, fire-up the grill to keep it cool inside. Using the microwave is another way to whip up those side dishes without creating more heat in the kitchen.
5) Trees Make a Big Impact
Finally, plant a tree (or two) near the southwest corner of your home. Choose a deciduous tree that will shade your home in the summer and shed its leaves in the fall to allow in warm winter sunlight. Plan for the tree to grow there for decades so don’t plant it too close to your home. Find out the approximate full size of the canopy and plant it accordingly.
Combined, these tips can dramatically reduce the amount of energy you use to keep your home cool. And you’ll hardly break a sweat as you Do Your Part to make them work for you.
Terri Bennett is a national speaker, eco-expert, and author of “Do Your Part: A practical guide for everyday green living” available at DoYourPart.com.
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