Conservation Tips: Stay Cool this Summer with Less Energy

by Amber Ellis, Watershed Restoration Associate/Volunteer Coordinator

As things heat up this summer you don’t have to choose between being cool and saving energy.  Here are some suggestions for keeping your home cooler without impacting our natural resources. 

Be a Friend of the River…Make simple steps in the home

During the day keep the shades or curtains closed to stop the heat from the sun from getting in. This is especially important for the windows on the south side or your home. Another easy way to save a lot of energy is to raise the thermostat to 78 degrees, even if it is only for the hours that you are at work. By turning on the ceiling fans you can make the room feel 5 degrees cooler, so turn up the thermostat and let the breeze cool you down!

Be a Guardian of the River….Enhance your landscape to cool your home

There are lots of things you can do outdoors to help it stay cool indoors. Large shade trees planted about 15 to 20 feet from the south and west side of the house can create much needed shade during the hot summer months, but will let the warmth of the sun come through during the winter months. They also can help when planted over patios, driveways, and air conditioning units. Shrubs can be used to shade walls, which is particularly important along brick walls that can heat up in direct sunlight. Just make sure to leave enough space in your yard to allow for that nice breeze to come through.


And in general, just plant more plants! Whether it’s a shrub or a perennial, they will help keep you cool through transpiration, which is when the water vapor is transpired from the plant to the atmosphere. This process cools the air around it, making you feel a little bit cooler during these hot summer days.


Learn More:

Dominion Summer Energy Saving Tips

Summer Conservation Tips Video

Conserving Energy with Landscaping