ARCADIA, WI — (Marketwired) — 08/05/13 — With the hot summer months still upon us, chances are you–ll stare in shock at yet another out-of-control electric bill. While turning off lights, using ceiling fans, and keeping an eye on the thermostat are some of the obvious steps to a cooler, more eco-friendly home, did you know that your home–s interior design can also play a key role in saving energy?
“Believe it or not, everything from your furniture layout to the window coverings you choose can help… or hinder… your home–s energy-efficiency,” says Brenda Dillon, VP of Merchandising. “The good news is that just a few subtle changes to your home can add a touch of style, comfort, beauty and durability to just about any space.”
So how can you quickly and easily create a comfortable and more energy-efficient home this summer? Ashley Furniture HomeStore offers these simple tips:
When you–re considering the furniture layout for any room, don–t forget to note where the air will be flowing from. Keeping drapes and heavy furniture, like and , away from any vents helps keep that cool air flowing and protects your furniture, too.
One way to quickly drive up energy costs is to place lamps, computers, TVs or hot electronics near your air conditioning thermostat. The heat from these appliances fools the system into thinking it–s warmer in the house than it actually is… causing it the A/C to run unnecessarily.
The right curtains, shades or blinds not only add a touch of luxury to a room, they can help you save money in the summer by creating a barrier that will help keep out the light and heat. Choosing white reflects heat away from the house. (Keep blinds closed on east-facing windows in the morning and west-facing windows in the afternoon to help fans or air conditioners cool more efficiently.)
Before you switch on your out of habit, remember that it not only drives up your energy bill, it also heats up the area you–re in. Also, consider changing out your regular light bulbs for the Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL) variety. They–re much cooler… using 75% less energy than ordinary incandescent light bulbs… and they last up to eight-times longer. Hate the color they give off? Check the “Correlated Color Temperature” printed on the packaging and try some that are labeled 2700K or 3000K for a more appealing look.
. If your walls are painted a dark color, consider slapping on a new lighter color. Why? Heat is absorbed by darker walls, which can generate even more heat within the house. Light-colored walls reflect the heat away, which will help make your room more comfortable.
For other smart design and decorating ideas, or to browse the hottest new furniture collections and , visit .
Ashley Furniture HomeStore, the #1 furniture retailer in the United States, delivers furniture and mattresses to customers at over 450 independently owned and operated locations in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Japan. Ashley Furniture HomeStore is an exclusive provider of furniture from Ashley Furniture Industries, Inc., the largest furniture manufacturer in the United States. “Like” Ashley Furniture HomeStore on , follow them on , or see their design-focused boards on .
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Paulette Rippley
Media Relations
Ashley Furniture HomeStore
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Phone: (608) 323-3377