Summer is here and it’s time for good times, fun with family, and outdoor activities. You can take the heat, to some degree, but, cooling off is much more comfortable, and affordable.
Practice these measures for cooler indoor air temperatures for your home:
1. Ceiling Fans, Exhaust Fans, Attic Fans.
Years ago in the days before A/C, fans were the main way people cooled off. Because circulating air can make your body feel 8 degrees cooler, more and more people used fans for home comfort. Far more efficient than A/C, fans can save you each month on your utility bills, even when used in tandem with your home’s air conditioning. For an extra boost, try putting ice in front of an oscillating fan for even cooler air.
2. Stop the Sun.
Using blinds and curtains in your windows and keeping them closed can really stop the sun from heating up your home, especially if many of your windows face the south. Pull the curtain on high bills and keep those windows covered!
3. Smart Lighting.
Our days are longer so the use of lamps and lighting should be at a minimal. However, if you do need to use interior lighting, consider LED bulbs. They light with far less heat than incandescent bulbs and make your rooms far less hot. If you are away from home, you can also put your lighting on timers or smart apps so they only light up for a few hours at a time in the evening, so it appears you are home.
3. Lower your hot water heater setting.
Maybe that hot shower doesn’t need to be so hot this summer? Lowering your hot water heater can save you $ on your utility bills too, as it doesn’t have to work as hard to keep your water super hot.
4. Kicking it Old School.
Grill out and don’t use your oven. Think about hanging laundry to dry. Not using large appliances, or using dishwashers after you go to bed can keep your home feeling cooler during the day when the heat is at it’s worst.