The movement of air over the skin is what keeps us cool in hot weather. We have come to rely on air conditioning in our homes and businesses to keep us cool but it comes at a cost. In the summertime, 60-70 percent of our electric bill may be for cooling costs. There are ways to reduce energy costs and still stay cool when the thermometer rises.
Temperatures are typically cooler at night. This is the time to open windows to allow the cooler air into your home. Close the windows in the morning before the sun comes up. A well insulated home will stay cool for much of the day. Keeping curtains or blinds closed will prevent the sun from shining in.
Refrain from using the oven if possible. Summertime is the perfect season for grilling out. Prepare hot foods outdoors and eat more cold foods like salads, sandwiches and chilled soups. Keeping the oven off will keep indoor temperatures cooler and you can save on your utility bill as well.
Install a clothesline. Even with dryers vented to the outdoors, running one still creates heat indoors. The dryer is known to be an energy hog. Hanging clothes and linens outdoors will help you save money. Fabrics feel different when dried in the sun. It may take some getting used to but the end result will conserve energy and keep your home cooler.
Although not an immediate solution, planting trees strategically on your property will provide shade in years to come. Planting deciduous trees on the east and west side of your home will prevent the hot summer sun from warming the indoors. This works well in winter, too. Once the trees have lost their leaves the sun will shine onto your home and provide warmth when it is cold.
Turn the lights off during the day. You probably dont need them on anyway. Incandescent light bulbs produce a lot of heat; halogen bulbs even more so. Switching to compact florescent lights that produce very little heat will keep indoor air cooler even when lights are in use. Unplug unnecessary electronics. If you are not using it, there is little reason to have it plugged in.
Awnings and shutters look nice and they can help keep your home cooler by blocking the sun. Your home absorbs heat from the sun and placing a barrier between them will make a big difference. Some awnings are retractable and make sense when you want more or less sunlight to hit your home in different seasons.
Insulation in the attic is thought to keep your home warmer but it serves as a means of keeping it cool as well. With insulation, cool air cannot escape through the roof. With the sun beating down on your house all day, your attic temperature can reach 130 degrees. Insulation will prevent that heat from absorbing into the lower part of your home.
Fans are great for keeping cool. Both stand alone and ceiling fans can be an effective way to keep cooler. Fans cool people, not rooms. If you are not in the room, turn the fan off. Set your ceiling fans to blow down in the summer and up in the winter for best results. Fans keep air fresh and recently have become more stylish than the typical box fan that once dominated the market. Choose a fan that complements your décor and it will serve as both functional and decorative.
