Enjoy the outdoors this summer while saving money, cutting energy costs, and protecting your family’s health with these tips from the EPA.

Energy Star Savings for Your Home

• Raising your thermostat by just 2 degrees and using a ceiling fan on low can lower cooling costs by up to 15%.

• Switch out incandescent bulbs with Energy Star lighting—they use less energy and produce 75% less heat.

Increase Your Gas Mileage

• Reduce idling, obey speed limits, avoid hard accelerations, and unload unnecessary items from your trunk.

Prevent Skin Cancer – Be Sun Wise

• Practice safe sun habits. Learn more

Heading to the Beach? Check the Water

• See beach advisories and closures for your area. Learn more

Smartphone Apps

• Get location-specific air quality information and hourly UV forecasts.

Protect Yourself with Insect Repellents

• Mosquitoes and ticks carry diseases—use the right repellents to avoid bites.

Water Wisely

• Up to 30% of outdoor water is wasted due to midday watering. Water in the morning when it’s cooler and winds are calm.

Clean Greener

• Look for EPA’s Design for the Environment (DfE) label on products for safer cleaning of cars, decks, boats, and grills.

Improve Your Indoor Air

• Remove mold, test for radon, check carbon monoxide detectors, and ask smokers to go outside.

Check into an Energy Star Hotel

• Certified hotels use 35% less energy and emit 35% less greenhouse gas than non-certified hotels.

Waste Less and Recycle More

• Recycled materials like glass can go into asphalt; plastics can be turned into carpeting and park benches.

Season Firewood

• Split, stack, and cover firewood to allow proper air circulation; store for at least 6 months before using.

Looking for a Summer Project? Try Composting

• Composting saves landfill space, feeds the soil, and prevents methane emissions.

Read the full article on our website: Hot Tips for a Cool Summer