By Eric Tegethoff, reporter/producer for Oregon News Service, a bureau of Public News Service.
The West Coast is experiencing its first major heat event of the summer. However, some simple tips can help you keep your home cooler.
Most of California and Oregon were under a heat advisory over the long holiday weekend.
With summer just starting, Cameron Starr, senior operations customer experience manager with Energy Trust of Oregon, said more super hot days are likely ahead.
He said one recommendation is to keep out heat by pulling down window shades during the hottest part of the day and opening windows when temperatures cool down.
“During that time when it’s cool outside,” said Starr, “a box fan or window-mounted fan on the shady side of the house can really be effective in drawing in cool air.”
Excessive heat can be dangerous.
Starr said cooling centers are open for people struggling with the heat. He also noted that you can visit many local businesses with air conditioning to cool down.
Starr advised people to use heat-generating devices, such as ovens, less frequently during hot days.
He added that it’s important to check the filters in your air conditioners, especially if they’re window-mounted or portable units.
“You want to make sure you’re checking those filters, and a lot of manufacturers state to check and clean those every two weeks,” said Starr. “And if you’ve got pets, you probably want to increase that cycle.”
For people with fans, Starr said check to ensure it’s spinning in the direction that cools, allowing you to feel a breeze rather than pulling cool air upward.
And making sure there aren’t any gaps in doors and windows is also important.
“Sealing off any gaps,” said Starr, “can very much help reduce the amount of cool air that you’re losing to the outside.”
Energy Trust offers cash incentives for people to install systems that cool – or provide heat during the winter. There are also federal tax credits available for equipment like energy-efficient heat pumps.
