Staying cool in your California home this summer doesn't require expensive monthly energy bills or lots of energy. With sustainable home upgrades, you can keep your home cool in the summer while using less energy and spending less on monthly heating and cooling costs—all while making your home more comfortable at the same time. Here's how:
1. Heat Pumps
Heat pumps are an all-electric alternative to traditional HVAC systems. They offer all-in-one heating and cooling for year-round operation. Heat pumps are significantly more energy-efficient than traditional furnaces and central AC units, so you'll use less energy and pay lower monthly energy bills.
Heat pumps come in a variety of models. Ducted heat pumps connect to a home's central ductwork system. Ductless mini-splits are installed directly in the rooms or areas of your home you're looking to target, giving you lots of flexibility and installation options.
2. Insulation & Air Sealing
No matter how energy efficient your cooling system is, your home won't be energy efficient if you have poor insulation and air leaks that allow conditioned air to escape your home and hot summer temperatures to enter.
Upgrading your home's insulation and air sealing closes those holes and gaps in your home's exterior to keep indoor temperatures more steady so that you can be more comfortable on a hot summer day. And by reducing energy waste, you'll need to run your cooling system less often, saving you money and making your home more environmentally friendly.
3. Whole House Fans
Some California homeowners don't want the expense or hassle of running the air conditioning during the summer, especially when the temperature reliably drops overnight. Whole house fan installation allows you to circulate and ventilate the air in your home and "resets" your indoor temperatures daily. Whole house fans also use far less energy than running an AC, which is better for the environment.
Find the Right Contractor for Energy Efficient Home Upgrades
If it's your goal to save energy and reduce your carbon footprint, you'll want to find a knowledgeable and well-versed energy-efficiency contractor to help you improve your home.
The Clean Energy Connection is here to help. This free online directory helps connect California homeowners with local contractors specializing in home electrification and energy efficiency upgrades. The directory is easy to filter by services offered, available rebates, location, and more, allowing you to find the right contractor for your home. The Clean Energy Connection is funded by a non-profit organization and is free for both homeowner and contractor. You can trust the Clean Energy Connection as an unbiased resource to help you find a contractor.