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We're feeling hot, hot, hot! Another sweltering summer has arrived, and many homeowners are cranking up the air conditioner for cooler breezes. And as the temperature rises, so, too, will the power bill.
There are plenty of ways for consumers to keep their cool, whether they plant a tree, closing the blinds, or adjusting the thermostat.
"We installed a programmable thermostat," says Cathy Muccilli of Toronto.
"The temperature drops by two degrees during the day when we're not home and at night when we're sleeping." She also keeps the shutters closed to block out the sunlight.
Dean Fester also darkens the home during the daylight hours.
The father of three is a firm believer in cross ventilation and opens all the windows as soon as dusk falls. "I turn the air conditioner on at 3 p.m., and only on the hottest of days, and turn it off again as soon as the sun drops below the trees," he adds.
Planting trees and shrubs around the home is another way to beat the heat.
According to John Begeman, of the University of Arizona, a wall exposed to full sun will transmit three times the amount of heat as do shaded walls.
"Determine where the sun is hitting the house and plant a deciduous tree," says Denis Flanagan, publicity manager for Landscape Ontario.
West and south facing walls will benefit the most from the cooling effects of a tree.
Deciduous trees are best since they leaf out in the spring, providing shade throughout the summer then drop their leaves in the fall, when the warm rays of winter sunshine are welcome.
Flanagan says keep the mature size of tree in mind when planting and keep it in scale with the house. "The ultimate height is up around the eavestrough, whether you live in a bungalow or two-storey," he adds.
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Flanagan says vines are natural air conditioner.Silver lace is fast-growing, while Boston Ivy or a climbing hydrangea (for shade) are self-clinging and will not damage a house unless the house is already in disrepair.
"It's an old wive's tale," he says.
How to keep your cool
Some tips from The Home Depot.
» Maintain your air conditioner unit and change the filter every one or two months for maximum efficiency.
» When buying a new AC, choose a new ENERGY STAR room air conditioner, which uses 30-70% less electricity than older models.
» Use household appliances early in the morning or after sunset when demand on the grid is lower.
» Ceiling and oscillating fans are a great alternative and will circulate the air at ground level. Open the windows at night and let the cool breezes blow.
» Use the barbecue or plug a crockpot into an outside circuit to keep the heat where it belongs -- outdoors.
» Draw the curtains during the day to keep the sunshine from heating up a room.