Take a stand, make a difference!
Discover how you can personally contribute to promoting efficient use of air conditioning during the summer, either individually or as part of a community. Explore the following activities categorized as “Quick & Go,” “Deep but Swift,” or “The Hardest, the Best”:
What can I do?
Quick & Go activities
- Close curtains or blinds during the hottest part of the day to block out direct sunlight and keep your home cooler naturally.
- Seal air leaks in your home, such as around windows and doors, to prevent warm air from entering and cool air from escaping.
- If you have a thermostat to control temperature at your home, set it to a higher temperature when you’re not at home or during the night after falling asleep to save energy. We do not need an ideal comfortable temperature at these times.
Deep but swift activities
- Plant shade trees or install shading devices, such as awnings or pergolas, outside your home to block direct sunlight and reduce the need for air conditioning.
- Consider installing a smart thermostat that can learn your habits and adjust the temperature accordingly, helping you save energy and reduce your carbon footprint.
- If you can, invest in insulation and weather stripping to keep your home well-insulated and reduce the load on your air conditioning unit.
The hardest, the best activities
- If you have possibility to install solar panels, they can help you generate your own electricity and power your air conditioning system.
- Use passive cooling techniques, such as designing your home to take advantage of natural shading, ventilation, and thermal mass, to reduce the need for air conditioning altogether (e.g. natural shading, natural ventilation).
What can I do with my community?
Quick & Go activities
- Organize a community workshop on efficient use of air conditioning in the summer, providing tips and strategies for residents to use their air conditioning systems more efficiently and reduce energy waste.
- Host a community event, such as a “Beat the Heat” challenge or competition, where residents can share their best practices for staying cool in the summer without excessive use of air conditioning.
- Create a community social media group or online platform where residents can share their experiences, challenges, and successes in using air conditioning efficiently in the summer, and exchange tips and ideas.
Deep but swift activities
- Host a community “cool homes” tour, where residents open up their homes to showcase how they have implemented energy-efficient practices to stay cool in the summer.
- Start a neighbourhood or community group focused on sustainable living and energy efficiency. This group can meet regularly to discuss best practices
- Organize contests or programmes that reward residents for their efficient use of air conditioning. This can motivate them to make efforts to minimize energy consumption and support behavioural changes.
The hardest, the best activities
- Support conducting energy audits in community homes and buildings. This will enable residents to identify areas where insulation can be improved, energy-efficient windows can be installed, or air conditioning systems can be upgraded.
