While indoors…

• Keep windows closed in the heat of the day. Open windows in the cool of the night.
• Attics gets hot in the summer - temperatures of up to 65°C (150°F) are common. Insulation in your attic protects your home from excessive heat penetration in summer and cold penetration in winter. Invest in attic insulation for year-round comfort and efficiency.
• Make sure roof ventilation is adequate to prevent heat buildup in summer and moisture buildup in winter.
• Use floor and ceiling fans to create gentle breezes to keep you and your family comfortable. Set the oscillation & speed to suit your needs. Keep fans on low as you sleep and on high while you are preparing dinner.
• If you have a dry basement, use the fan in your furnace to circulate cool basement air throughout your home. Maintain your furnace air filter at peak efficiency to reduce indoor pollen levels.
• Use compact fluorescent lighting wherever you can. Compact fluorescents use very little energy and produce much less waste heat than incandescent and halogen lights. In general, you will find lower indoor lighting levels more pleasant in warm weather.

While outdoors…

• Longer days mean shorter nights. Don't forget to adjust your outdoor lighting timers. You'll save money and extend bulb life.
• Outdoor living areas are more comfortable when they are lit just right. Using low-watt LED strings or lights will eliminate excessive and unnecessary lighting. After all, lighting should be just bright enough for safety and for relaxing on summer evenings.
• If you require constant lighting on your patio for safety reasons, install compact fluorescent lights that use less electricity. A timer or lights on a motion sensor can also save electricity and extend bulb life.
• Plan your garden with the changing seasons in mind. Shelter the south side of your home from summer sun with deciduous trees. Evergreens will protect the north side of your home from icy blasts.

While in the kitchen…

• Timers and meat thermometers save energy and help you avoid overcooked meals (some metal thermometers can stay right in the bbq too)
• Make full use of microwave ovens in hot weather. Microwave cooking can reduce energy consumption by two-thirds and produces much less waste heat than your stove. Toaster ovens and slow cookers are also a great way to reduce energy use in the kitchen.
• Convection ovens consume up to one-third less energy than standard ovens. Heated air is continuously circulated by the oven's fan, for more even heat and reduced cooking times.
• Vacuum your refrigerator's cooling coils every three months. Excessive dust buildup will reduce the energy efficiency and life expectancy of the compressor. Make sure there are no gaps in the door seal.
• Your freezer works best when it is filled to capacity. Place covered plastic water-filled containers in your freezer for maximum efficiency, and buy the smallest model that will meet your needs.
• Label frozen food clearly to minimize the amount of cold that escapes when searching for specific items.

While you clean your clothes…

• Use a clothesline (if your neighbourhood covenants allow it). You'll save money and your clothes will have that fresh smell of summertime.
• Washing a few small items in a large washing machine wastes energy and water; wait for a full load. Use the cold water cycle whenever possible. There are many cold-water detergents now on the market, and still more made specifically for energy conscious washing machines. Research what suits your family best.