Your essential home cooling guide

Stay comfortable and control your spring and summer energy cooling costs with our no-cost and budget friendly savings tips and tricks.

Plus, visit the energy hub for additional tips and explore energy saving resources for your home.

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See tips below
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Top tips to cool your home

Close your blinds

Keep windows covered during hot summer days to block heat from the sun and naturally cool your home.

Set to save

By raising your thermostat a degree or two, you can save more throughout the year. Set it to 25⁰C when home, and 28⁰C when you're gone.

Seal the leaks

Caulk, seal or weatherstrip around doors and windows to keep hot air out and cool air in.

Switch on the fans

Remove heat and humidity by using your bathroom fan during and after a shower and turn on the range hood while cooking.

Clear away clutter

Keep plants, weeds and debris away from the outdoor air conditioning unit, allowing air to circulate freely.

Change or clean filters

Clogged filters restrict airflow and make the system work harder than it should. Refer to your owner's manual, or Google system specs to see how often you should do this.

Book a tune-up

Annual furnace and air conditioning servicing can reduce your costs by up to 10 per cent and extend the life of your system.

Deal with the ducts

About 20 per cent of airflow is lost to leaks. Seal cracks and holes with mastic sealant or foil tape – this will also help control humidity.

Shade to save

Plant trees or shrubs around your outdoor air conditioning unit (at least 24cm away) to improve efficiency by up to 10 per cent. Keep your thermostat out of the sunlight as well.

Let the attic breathe

Proper attic ventilation can reduce the strain on your central air conditioner by moving hot air out.

Install ceiling fans

A fan allows you to raise your thermostat by 4°C without affecting comfort. Set blades to run in a counterclockwise direction to circulate cool air downwards.

Create a cross breeze

Open a few windows to create cross ventilation. For the best results, open a lower window on one side of your home and an upper window on the opposite side.

Air conditioner

Shopping for a new air conditioner?

An ENERGY STAR®-certified high-efficiency model can cut cooling costs as much as 30 per cent*, saving you energy costs over time.

Proven reliability
Quiet performance
Better warranty protection
Improved air quality
Use less energy
* Assumes replacement of a model 12 years or older.

Consider upgrading your A/C if:

Some rooms in your house are always too hot
Your system is more than 10 years old
It’s unusually noisy
Your home’s air is too humid
You need major parts replaced or repaired

Look for the labels

The official Canadian EnerGuide label displays the model type and seasonal energy efficiency ratio or SEER. The SEER measures how efficiently the system runs over the entire cooling season. The higher the rating, the more efficient the system. You can use this rating to compare the energy efficiency of different models.

The most energy-efficient units will also be ENERGY STAR®-certified.

Working with a contractor

Choosing a contractor

  1. Read online reviews and get at least three quotes
  2. Ask friends and neighbours for recommendations
  3. Ask for an inspection of your current system
  4. Get everything in writing
  5. Ask about rebates for high-efficiency systems
  6. Ensure your contractor has general liability insurance to protect yourself
  7. Ask about services post-installation, including annual servicing, and maintenance

What to look for in an agreement

  1. Detailed list of all work to be completed
  2. Itemized list of all equipment to be installed, including name, quantity, model number and energy rating
  3. Proof of warranty for both the equipment and installation
  4. Documentation of sizing calculations or results of any tests performed
  5. Liability insurance information (minimum of $2 million)
  6. Proof of licences and certification to install an ENERGY STAR®-certified CAC system:
    313A Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Licence or
    313D Residential Air Conditioning Licence
  7. Payment terms and schedule
  8. Start and completion date.

What to expect from your contractor

  1. Check refrigerant levels and test for leaks
  2. Clean condenser coils
  3. Replace or clean air filters
  4. Inspect ductwork for air leaks
  5. Measure airflow through the evaporator coil
  6. Inspect, clean and tighten electrical connections
  7. Lubricate motors and inspect belts
  8. Check thermostat and controls for accuracy.

Where to save next?

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