Summer is a great time to go outdoors and bask in the sun’s warmth. However, when we go indoors, we expect that warmth to stay outside. Instead of blasting your air conditioner–and driving a hole in your wallet–try the following cheap or free ways in keeping your house cool in the summer.
Doors and Windows
– Cover your windows with white shades or blinds. Close them over windows that face south and west during the day.
– Close the doors inside your house, or else you will waste energy cooling rooms you are not using.
– Hang bamboo shades or woven screens outside of windows. This can block up to 80% of the sun’s heat.
– Ventilate your house by opening all the doors and windows in your house. The temperature should be less than 77 degrees, so evenings and cool days work best. Keep your house tightly sealed during the day.
Maintenance
– Make sure your air conditioner ducts are insulated.
– Ensure that your fireplace damper is closed and sealed.
– Clean your air-conditioning filter monthly during the summer. An accumulation of dust can limit air flow.
Less Technology
– Turn off dehumidifiers; they create a bigger cooling load, so the air conditioner must work harder.
– Turn the thermostat down to 115 degrees on your water heater. This temperature should still provide comfortable water usage.
– Turn off your air conditioner if you leave the house for more than an hour.
– Move lamps or other heat-producing objects away from your thermostat.
– Use compact fluorescent light bulbs instead of incandescent ones because compact fluorescent ones use 1/5 of the energy while providing the same amount of light.
– Use a microwave instead of a conventional oven, when possible.
– Use your dishwasher in the evenings when the weather is cooler since it is a heat-generating machine. Opt to air dry dishes instead of using the machine.
If these tips aren’t enough to beat the heat, use TalkLocal to contact local heating and cooling companies.
