We all want to stay cool in the summer months and find ways to beat the heat. However, air conditioners can contribute a huge amount to your monthly utility bills so it makes sense to find creative ways to reduce your usage.
Barbeque rather than using your oven – If you’re lucky enough to have an outdoor space with a barbeque make sure to take advantage as often as you can. All the heat coming from your stove top and oven just make your A/C have to work that much harder to keep the house cool. By cooking outside, all the heat will stay outside your home, and who doesn’t love the mouthwatering flavours of food grilled over a flame?
Invest in a dehumidifier – One of the things that can make the summer heat more intense is when it’s accompanied by high humidity. A dehumidifier won’t cool down your home, but it will make it feel cooler as it takes out the excess moisture. You’ll probably find you don’t need the thermostat turned down quite so low
Switch out your lightbulbs – If you haven’t made the switch to LEDs or compact fluorescents now is the time. Normal incandescent bulbs waste approximately 90% of the energy they produce on heat, which makes them both less efficient and raises the temperature.
Install blinds or blackout curtains – Houses that receive a lot of direct sunlight end up turning into a greenhouse in the summer months. The light will also heat up anything that it shines on in your house. Adding window treatments that can be closed during the sunniest part of the day still allows for natural light when you’re at home. Even sheers can make a big difference in blocking some of the sun’s rays.
Windows – if your windows are starting to show they’re age, they could be a major contributor to cooling costs. If replacing your windows isn’t in the budget there are some great less expensive options including reflective films that can absorb heat without blocking the light or even vapor barriers just like you would use in the winter months.
Raise the thermostat when you leave for the day – turn up your thermostat before you leave the house in the mornings. You can still keep your space cool, but there’s no point having your A/C work overtime to keep the perfect temperature if no one is home to enjoy it. Better yet, invest in a programmable thermostat so you can set it once and forget it.
Replace your filters – replacing the filters is one of the cheapest and easiest ways to make your cooling system more efficient. You can grab a value pack of filters for a reasonable price and swap out the old one in under a minute. It will also keep the air in your home cleaner if you’ve been keeping everything shut tight to keep out the heat.
Use fans – Whether you’d prefer ceiling fans or table top versions, keeping the air moving will make you feel cooler and more comfortable. It will also help move the cold air throughout your space when you do have the A/C running.
