Green Ways to Keep your Home Cool this Summer
Summer in Langley can be beautiful—but when those longer, sunnier days start heating up your home, it’s easy to reach straight for the air conditioner. While A/C does the trick, it can come at a cost—both financially and environmentally.
Fortunately, there are smarter, greener, and more energy-efficient ways to keep your home cool this summer. Whether you’re looking to lower your electricity bill, reduce your carbon footprint, or just feel more comfortable without overloading your HVAC system, we’ve got you covered.
As local electricians serving the Langley area, we’ve worked with countless homeowners looking for more sustainable solutions to beat the heat. Below, we’re sharing our top green cooling strategies—from small lifestyle tweaks to electrical upgrades that can make a major impact.
1. Start With Smart Energy Habits
Sometimes the best solutions are the simplest. Before investing in any new tech or renovations, start by building a foundation of smart, energy-saving habits that can dramatically reduce the temperature inside your home.
Close Blinds and Curtains During the Day
Langley summers can bring long hours of sunlight—and those rays can turn your home into a sauna if you’re not careful. Keep your blinds, shades, or blackout curtains closed during the hottest parts of the day (usually 11 AM–4 PM) to block out direct sunlight.
Avoid Heat-Generating Appliances
Try to limit your use of ovens, stoves, dishwashers, and dryers during the heat of the day. Opt for:
BBQing outside
Using a microwave or toaster oven
Hanging laundry to dry
Running dishwashers or laundry machines in the early morning or evening
Create Cross-Ventilation
Open windows on opposite sides of your house in the early morning or late evening when temperatures are cooler. This encourages a natural flow of air and helps push hot air out while bringing cool air in.
Pro Tip: Use a fan to direct cooler air into the home and push warmer air out through another window.
2. Upgrade to Energy-Efficient Ceiling Fans
If you don’t already have ceiling fans installed, you’re missing out on one of the most efficient cooling tools available.
Why It Works:
Ceiling fans don’t cool the air, but they create a wind-chill effect that makes it feel cooler on your skin—allowing you to raise your thermostat by several degrees without sacrificing comfort.
Go Green:
Look for ENERGY STAR®-certified ceiling fans that consume significantly less energy than standard models. When professionally installed, they offer:
Lower energy costs
Reduced A/C usage
Improved air circulation year-round
Bonus Tip:
Make sure your fan is set to spin counter-clockwise in the summer. This pushes cool air down to where you are.
Want to add ceiling fans or upgrade outdated ones? Our licensed electricians can help you choose the best models and install them safely in any room of your home.
3. Install a Smart Thermostat
A smart thermostat is one of the most cost-effective green upgrades you can make to your home—and it’s particularly useful during Langley’s variable summer weather.
Why It’s Smart:
These devices learn your habits and adjust the temperature automatically, helping you:
Avoid unnecessary A/C usage
Cool your home efficiently when needed
Monitor and control your system remotely
In Langley’s climate, where temperatures can swing between mild and hot in a single day, a smart thermostat makes sure you’re not overcooling when it’s unnecessary.
Popular Options:
ecobee SmartThermostat – Great for homes with zoning needs.
Google Nest – Easy to use and integrates well with other smart devices.
Most models come with energy-saving reports and features like geofencing, which cool your home only when you're there.
Electrical Tip: These thermostats often require a common wire (C-wire). If your current setup doesn’t support it, we can help install the wiring or a compatible power extender.
4. Switch to LED Lighting
Believe it or not, lighting can contribute to indoor heat—especially if you’re still using incandescent or halogen bulbs. Those old-school bulbs convert most of their energy into heat rather than light.
Why Go LED?
LED bulbs use up to 80% less energy
They run cooler, keeping indoor temps lower
They last longer—often up to 25,000 hours
Replacing all of your interior and exterior bulbs with ENERGY STAR-rated LEDs is a quick upgrade that pays for itself in energy savings and heat reduction.
Pro Tip: For the biggest cooling impact, focus on replacing bulbs in rooms you use most during the day—like kitchens, offices, and living rooms.
5. Seal and Insulate Your Home
You may not think of insulation as a summer concern, but a well-sealed, well-insulated home helps keep hot air out just as much as it keeps warm air in during winter.
Focus Areas:
Attics: Poor attic insulation lets heat seep into your living spaces.
Windows and Doors: Check for gaps or drafts—caulk or use weatherstripping.
Outlets and Switches: Believe it or not, these can be major sources of drafts. Insulating gaskets can help.
Langley homes—especially older ones—often lack modern insulation standards. A quick home energy audit can reveal hidden opportunities for improvement.
Need help finding heat leaks? We can help identify and seal electrical penetrations that may be letting warm air in or cool air out.
6. Consider a Heat Pump
Heat pumps aren’t just for winter. In fact, modern heat pumps are one of the most energy-efficient ways to cool your home in summer.
What Is a Heat Pump?
It’s a two-in-one system that provides both heating and cooling by transferring heat rather than generating it. In summer, it extracts warm air from your home and pushes it outside—like an A/C, but more efficient.
Why It’s Green:
Uses less electricity than traditional A/C units
Works well with solar power (more on that below)
Eligible for rebates and incentives through BC Hydro and CleanBC
For Langley homeowners looking to reduce energy bills and carbon emissions year-round, heat pumps are a smart long-term investment.
We work with local HVAC specialists to provide the electrical side of heat pump installations—contact us for a referral or partnership.
7. Go Solar (If You Can)
Langley may not be known for endless sunshine, but don’t count solar out! With long summer days, solar panels can still generate a significant amount of energy—especially during peak cooling hours.
Solar + Cooling
Use solar power to offset your energy consumption from:
Air conditioning
Heat pumps
Smart home systems
Lighting and electronics
Bonus:
Rebates and tax incentives are available in BC
Helps future-proof your home against rising hydro costs
Pairs well with battery backup systems for added resilience
8. Use Energy-Efficient Window Coverings
Beyond basic curtains, there are green window treatment options that provide excellent insulation and heat control:
Cellular shades (a.k.a. honeycomb blinds) trap hot air between layers
Thermal curtains block sunlight and insulate against radiant heat
Reflective films can be applied to windows to bounce solar heat away
Combined with proper window sealing, these options can reduce indoor temperatures by several degrees—without touching your thermostat.
9. Upgrade Your Electrical Panel (If Needed)
If you're considering adding smart devices, ceiling fans, or a heat pump, make sure your electrical panel can handle the extra load.
Many older homes in Langley still have 60-amp or 100-amp panels, which may not support modern energy demands—especially if you're trying to stay green and efficient.
We offer professional panel upgrades to 200 amps or higher, ensuring your electrical system is safe, future-ready, and up to code.
Final Thoughts: Green Comfort Is Possible
Beating the heat in Langley doesn’t mean blasting your A/C 24/7. With a mix of smart habits, efficient technology, and a few electrical upgrades, you can keep your home cool while saving energy, reducing your bills, and shrinking your environmental footprint.
Recap: 9 Green Ways to Stay Cool This Summer
Close blinds, reduce appliance use, and create airflow
Install or upgrade to energy-efficient ceiling fans
Add a smart thermostat to optimize cooling
Switch to LED lighting
Seal and insulate to prevent heat infiltration
Consider a high-efficiency heat pump
Explore solar energy options
Use energy-efficient window coverings
Upgrade your electrical panel for long-term savings
Ready to Cool Down the Smart Way?
If you're thinking about ceiling fan installation, a smart thermostat upgrade, a panel change, or going solar-ready, we’re here to help. Our licensed Langley electricians can guide you toward the most energy-efficient and eco-friendly solutions—tailored to your home and your goals.
📞 Contact us today to schedule a consultation or get a free quote. Let’s make this summer your coolest one yet—without heating up the planet.
