Beat the heat. Here’s how.

We’ve had some scorchers this summer, and we'll get more before it's over.

It’s worth making a plan to stay cool when the temperature spikes. Here are some no-and-low-cost tips for the hottest days of the year.

Turn down set points, and start cooling early.

Lower the set points on your thermostat to a cooler temperature before the heat peaks. Starting the cooling process early in the cooler part of the day helps maintain a comfortable indoor temperature.

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Eliminate setbacks.

Avoid letting your house get warm in the first place by eliminating temperature setbacks, even if you won't be home for part of the day. Consistent cooling helps prevent the system from working harder later to bring down the temperature.

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Keep the hot air out.

Close all doors and windows during the hot parts of the day. This keeps the hot outdoor air from creeping in and lets your cooling equipment work efficiently.

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Block the sun.

Draw curtains, close blinds, or use temporary window coverings on the sunny side of the house during peak afternoon hours. You can block a surprising amount of heat gain this way.

Avoid adding heat indoors.

Delay oven use, clothes drying, or running the dishwasher until after dark. Even small heat sources can make a big difference on a hot day.

Seal and insulate (for the long run).

Air sealing and insulation​ don’t just help in winter, they keep unwanted summer heat out, too. If your home heats up quickly, it's probably time to look at improving the building envelope.