Too Hot? 6 Tips to Escape the Summer Heat
This summer has been a scorcher for many places in the country and many of us choose to escape it with the press of a button. While the trusty air conditioning is a big reason that cities and suburbs can be built up they way they way they are, the cost of running your A/C is high and the cost to the environment is even higher. To help cool down in a sustainable way, we’ve prepared a list of things you can do to beat the heat and keep your power bill in check. As a side benefit, you will also be giving your electric company an opportunity to reduce their emissions and expensive equipment. From the simple fixes like window shades to tuning-up your house, there are plenty of ways to reduce your AC use without sweating it.
Start With Your Clothes
Following the massive earthquake and Fukushima nuclear disaster, Japan was faced with an energy crisis that resulted in the government asking workers to go to work dressed more casually. By not wearing neckties and other formal clothing, they were able to raise the thermostat on the air conditioners a few degrees saving energy and money. The same principle applies to your household. Simply wearing clothing that is weather appropriate will make it much easier to cut back on your A/C usage while still keeping comfortable. Take it a step further and ditch that blanket on the bed opting instead to sleep under a sheet.
Keep Out The Heat
One of the best ways to keep your house cool is to keep the heat out in the first place. Installing light colored blinds on your windows, especially west facing windows that get the hotter afternoon sun, will help keep reduce the heat build up in your home. Another way to cut down on excess heat that is often overlooked is to make sure you turn off electronics in your home when they are not in use. Turn off the television, flip the light switch, and shut down your computer; turning off these things will go a long way towards reducing the heat. Installing shades and awnings on the outside of your windows is another very effective way of cooling down your house. Planting shade trees around your home will provide some natural beauty as well as some protection from the heat.
Move The Air Around
Circulating the air in your house, even a little bit, makes quite a difference. Install a ceiling fan or use a portable floor or stand fan to move the air around your rooms. This will cool things off in a way that does not use a lot of energy. Opening doors and windows to allow a cross breeze will also get things moving, though you may want to avoid this during the hottest part of the day. In drier climates, evaporative coolers such as the Coolerado are much more energy efficient than traditional air conditioning units.
Cool Nights Can Mean Cooler Days
If you happen to live in an area that cools down quite a bit at night, use that to your advantage. By using an attic fan or a whole house fan, you can flush out the hot and stuffy daytime air and suck in the cooler, more refreshing evening air. By closing up your windows the next day, your home can stay surprisingly cooler and more comfortable.
Seal Up The House
Spend some time making sure you aren’t losing cooler air through poor insulation or air leaks. Add insulation in your attic, installing weather stripping and sealing ducts are great ways to make sure you home stays cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. Once you have done those things, you may also need to have your windows checked and replaced if they are not energy efficient.
Service Your A/C
By having your air conditioning unit tuned up once a year, you will make sure it is running in tip top shape. You will be rewarded with cooler air and lower electric bills. You should check with your power company as many offer discounts on tune ups for air conditioners and heat pumps.
