As Oregon is seeing its first major heat event of the summer, some simple tips can help you keep your home cooler.
Most of Oregon was under a heat advisory over the holiday weekend and into the week now.
And with summer just starting, Cameron Starr – senior operations customer experience manager with Energy Trust of Oregon – said more hot days are likely ahead.
He said one recommendation is to keep out heat by pulling down window shades during the hottest part of day, and open windows when temperatures cool down.
“During that time when it’s cool outside,” said Starr, “a box fan or window-mounted fan on the shady side of the house can really be effective in drawing in cool air.”
Excessive heat can be dangerous.
Starr said cooling centers are open across the state for people struggling with the heat. He also noted that you can visit many local businesses with air conditioning to cool down.
To locate cooling centers in your area:
- Call 211 or 1-866-698-6155. Help is available 24 hours per day / 7 days per week.
- Visit 211info.org. Click on the globe on the top right to select your preferred language.
Starr advised people to use heat-generating devices, such as ovens, less frequently during hot days.
He added that it’s important to check the filters in your air conditioners, especially if they’re window-mounted or portable units.
“You want to make sure you’re checking those filters, and a lot of manufacturers state to check and clean those every two weeks,” said Starr. “And if you’ve got pets, you probably want to increase that cycle.”
For people with fans, Starr said check to ensure it’s spinning in the direction that cools, allowing you to feel a breeze rather than pulling cool air upward.
And making sure there aren’t any gaps in doors and windows is also important.
“Sealing off any gaps,” said Starr, “can very much help reduce the amount of cool air that you’re losing to the outside.”
Energy Trust offers cash incentives for people to install systems that cool – or provide heat during the winter. There are also federal tax credits available for equipment like energy-efficient heat pumps.
(SOURCE)