When the weather heats up, turning on the AC also means emptying your wallet. To avoid the high cost of air conditioning—and to be more environmentally-friendly—follow these cool tips.
Now that summer has officially started and the temperatures (and humidity) are getting up there, a lot of people are trying to stay cool. Sure, some can just turn on their air conditioning, but not everyone has that option. And even if you do, you might be looking to save some money on your electric bill or are worried about the environmental impact. So here are a few suggestions for staying cool :
#DIY Aircon
Building your own air conditioning system is a lot easier than you might think. All you need is a metal bucket, or a bowl, a bag of ice cubes, and a fan. Put the ice in the bucket and place the fan to blow over the ice.
#Cook outside
There is nothing better than a home cooked meal, but in summer, that hot oven in the kitchen can heat up the room incredibly. The solution: either make peace with eating salads and sandwiches all summer long, or simply bring all cooking outside.
#Make maximum use of curtains, blinds and windows
Keep your blinds closed. Consumer Reports said up to 30 percent of unwanted heat comes from your windows, so using shades and curtains can save you up to 7 percent on energy bills and lower indoor temperatures by up to 20 degrees.
#Bake and wash at night
Large appliances give off significant amounts of heat. Save the operation of ovens, ranges, dishwashers, and clothes washers and dryers for evening hours when cooler temperatures will offset their output.
#Consider a dehumidifier
Moist heat is much more uncomfortable for people and pets than dry heat. Dehumidifiers suck the moisture out of balmy summer air in your home, making it much more comfortable, even at higher temperatures. Ideally, keep indoor humidity under 60 per cent. To save on electricity costs, use a unit that turns off when humidity drops below your targeted level.
#Unplug unnecessary heat sources
We rarely think of it, but a plugged charger here, a TV box on stand by there, and slowly but surely all these little things draw in lots of additional heat through the sockets. The solution would be to always unplug chargers, forget about the stand-by function, switch to more efficient and much cooler LED and CFL light bulbs.
#Set your ceiling fans to rotate counter-clockwise
A ceiling fan isn’t a set-it-and-forget-it appliance. In the summer, the fan blades should rotate counter-clockwise (as you look up at it) to push the air straight down. Increase the fan speed on really hot days.
#Swap your sheets.
Not only does seasonally switching your bedding freshen up a room, but it's also a great way to keep cool. While textiles like flannel sheets and fleece blankets are fantastic for insulation, cotton is a smarter move this time of year as it breathes easier and stays cooler. As an added bonus, buy yourself a buckwheat pillow or two. Because buckwheat hulls have a naturally occurring air space between them, they won't hold on to your body heat like conventional pillows, even when packed together in a pillow case.
#Try plant vines
Planting vines will work similar to installing an awning. Vines like ivy grow quickly and provide cooling shade. The climbers reduce temperature by blocking the sunlight that heats up exterior walls.
#Try insulated window films
Window films offer a ton of benefits, from cutting energy costs to providing you privacy while still enjoying the view and light of the great outdoors. They can provide up to 98 per cent infrared heat reduction compared to unprotected windows, and reduce temperature imbalances in your home.
Building your own air conditioning system is a lot easier than you might think. All you need is a metal bucket, or a bowl, a bag of ice cubes, and a fan. Put the ice in the bucket and place the fan to blow over the ice.
#Cook outside
There is nothing better than a home cooked meal, but in summer, that hot oven in the kitchen can heat up the room incredibly. The solution: either make peace with eating salads and sandwiches all summer long, or simply bring all cooking outside.
#Make maximum use of curtains, blinds and windows
Keep your blinds closed. Consumer Reports said up to 30 percent of unwanted heat comes from your windows, so using shades and curtains can save you up to 7 percent on energy bills and lower indoor temperatures by up to 20 degrees.
#Bake and wash at night
Large appliances give off significant amounts of heat. Save the operation of ovens, ranges, dishwashers, and clothes washers and dryers for evening hours when cooler temperatures will offset their output.
#Consider a dehumidifier
Moist heat is much more uncomfortable for people and pets than dry heat. Dehumidifiers suck the moisture out of balmy summer air in your home, making it much more comfortable, even at higher temperatures. Ideally, keep indoor humidity under 60 per cent. To save on electricity costs, use a unit that turns off when humidity drops below your targeted level.
#Unplug unnecessary heat sources
We rarely think of it, but a plugged charger here, a TV box on stand by there, and slowly but surely all these little things draw in lots of additional heat through the sockets. The solution would be to always unplug chargers, forget about the stand-by function, switch to more efficient and much cooler LED and CFL light bulbs.
#Set your ceiling fans to rotate counter-clockwise
A ceiling fan isn’t a set-it-and-forget-it appliance. In the summer, the fan blades should rotate counter-clockwise (as you look up at it) to push the air straight down. Increase the fan speed on really hot days.
#Swap your sheets.
Not only does seasonally switching your bedding freshen up a room, but it's also a great way to keep cool. While textiles like flannel sheets and fleece blankets are fantastic for insulation, cotton is a smarter move this time of year as it breathes easier and stays cooler. As an added bonus, buy yourself a buckwheat pillow or two. Because buckwheat hulls have a naturally occurring air space between them, they won't hold on to your body heat like conventional pillows, even when packed together in a pillow case.
#Try plant vines
Planting vines will work similar to installing an awning. Vines like ivy grow quickly and provide cooling shade. The climbers reduce temperature by blocking the sunlight that heats up exterior walls.
#Try insulated window films
Window films offer a ton of benefits, from cutting energy costs to providing you privacy while still enjoying the view and light of the great outdoors. They can provide up to 98 per cent infrared heat reduction compared to unprotected windows, and reduce temperature imbalances in your home.
