I love the summer and the hot weather. Our winters in the Inland Northwest are long so I try to appreciate the few months of sunshine and heat.
But there are days in the summer that are too hot. That’s when I look up ideas to stay cool without using a lot of energy.
One tip I found on the website is to upgrade the window coverings in my home. In my kitchen, I love the morning light on that side of the house. But it can heat up, so I have some honeycomb shades.
In my living room, I have insulated drapes that keep out the heat. I close them during the hottest parts of the day.
I also installed an outdoor window shade. All these options can block 65% of the sun’s heat from entering your window.
In my kitchen, during the summer months I often use a pressure cooker, slow-cooker or microwave for cooking without heating up the house. I also use my outdoor grill a lot, since the weather is so nice.
But I am thinking about upgrading some of my appliances. If I get an Energy Star-rated refrigerator, freezer, washer or dryer, I can get a rebate from Avista.
Another project on my list is to think about getting new windows. I am quite sure that many of my windows are original in my home that was built in 1910. Avista has a rebate program that can net me a rebate up to $10 per square foot. New windows can block the hot air from coming inside.
I’ll also turn the heat down on my water heater. If I lower the temperature to 120 degrees, it is plenty hot. I also wash my clothes in cold water. Both ideas save me from using a lot of energy in the summer.
Lisa, an Avista customer, bought her 1910 house because she loved the old-world character, some of which doesn’t make her house very energy efficient. Over the last two years, Lisa shared her experience on taking some simple do-it-yourself improvements to inspire others. Now, she’s highlighting helpful information you can find on the Avista website.