Most of us who live where summers are hot have been through it: As temperatures rise into the triple digits, we crank the AC—then feel the anxiety as we open our electric bills. Americans want to feel comfortable indoors when outdoor temperatures climb—so much so that we collectively spend more than $15 billion each year on air conditioning (the equivalent of about 140 million tons of CO2 emissions). But the irony is that, while draining our wallets to keep our houses cool, we’re burning enough fossil fuels to help make the world a warmer place. Fortunately, by taking advantage of advances in energy-efficient technology and borrowing some natural cooling wisdom from the days before air conditioning was widely available, you can learn how to keep your house cool without racking up huge energy bills or carbon footprints.

Lessen the Load

The less heat that builds up inside our homes, the less we have to rely on our AC units. Begin with a few simple no- to low-budget changes:

• Close windows and window coverings in the morning before the day heats up, then open them in the evening to flush your house with cooler air.

• Turn off lights when not in use—especially incandescents, which give off a lot of heat. Replace incandescent bulbs with cooler light-emitting diodes (LEDs) or compact fluorescents (CFLs).

• Unplug electronic equipment when not in use, or use a “smart” power strip to completely power off electronics; most electronics use electricity—and generate heat—even when they are turned off.

• Do your laundry, ironing and cooking during the cooler parts of day—or use a clothesline, cook outdoors and opt for meals that don’t require cooking. Precooking large quantities of grains or vegetables in the evening can reduce daytime cooking needs and save time throughout the week.

Next, make it harder for outdoor heat to get into your home. The following changes cost some money, but your local government or utility company may offer rebates, discounts or attractive financing programs for energy-efficiency upgrades. If your summers are only moderately hot, these measures may be all you need to stay comfortable indoors. And even if you still need mechanical cooling, these steps will keep more cool air inside and more hot air outside, reducing air-conditioning needs.

• Beef up the insulation in your attic—your home will become much more comfortable and your utility bills will shrink in both summer and winter. If you already have attic insulation, check how much is there. Many homes have R-11 or R-15 attic insulation; increasing to R-30 or R-40 will make a big difference in comfort and cost. (The higher the R-value, the greater the insulation level.)

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