There are some short-term measures you can take to stay cool during the East Coast heat wave in New York, and there are some things you may want to do in order to lower your cooling and heating costs for the long term.

Short Term
One thing you can do to keep the temperature of your house from rising during the day is to lower all of your shades to block out the sun’s heat during the hottest hours of the day. You may even want to purchase low-E window film, which is a window coating that will help reduce the amount of heat that is transferred through the windowpane. If you can, leave your house during the hottest hours and turn your AC off while you’re gone. As it cools down at night, open your windows and circulate air through your home with window fans, or turn your AC on to an energy saver setting.

Try not to add heat to your home. In other words, rather than turning on your oven to cook a big meal, have a salad or cold sandwich. Also, while your light bulbs may seem insignificant, they can give off an uncomfortable level of heat, especially if you use inefficient incandescent bulbs. Take the time to switch out your bulbs, and only use the lights when you need them. Turn off any electronics you’re not using (i.e. your computer). Not only will this help reduce extra heat, it will also help compensate for the AC costs by saving you some money on your electricity bills.

Long Term
As for the long-term solution to battling the next heat wave efficiently, you may want to consider investing in an air conditioner with the highest SEER rating you can find. Right now, central ACs with a SEER rating of 16 or higher are eligible for a federal tax credit of up to $1,500.

Adding insulation (also eligible for the tax credit) or a radiant heat barrier to your attic may help reduce the heat that passes into your living space through your attic. Basic air sealing measures can also make a big difference in the amount of cool air you may be losing through cracks and holes in the exterior walls of your home. These measures are also going to benefit you during the months you’re paying to heat your home. To find out what measures may benefit your home and wallet most, check out our online energy analysis tool.