I have a love-hate relationship with summertime. I love the longer days, the family vacations, the ice cream truck visits in the evenings, all of it … I hate the humidity and heat that leads to the a/c being pushed lower and lower in attempt to get some relief. There is usually at least 1-2 discussions a week in my household in regards to keeping doors closed, ceiling fans on and not touching the thermostat unit. Please tell me it’s not just my household that these never-ending battles ensue?
These are a couple of summer-related tips I’ve incorporated over the years (some can be applied year-round!):
- Keep televisions, lamps and other electrical items that give off heat away from the thermostat. Since they exude heat, they can cause your a/c to overrun itself.
- If you haven’t done so yet, switch to CFL (compact florescent light-bulbs) – they last longer, use less energy and generate less heat than traditional bulbs. (The CFL bulbs are the swirly looking ones, if you’re not familiar with them.)
- Yes, we all love the natural sunlight – but on scorchers close the drapes and blinds. The heat from outside drives the temperature inside up which causes your a/c to run more. Better yet, invest in blackout curtains! I love these because they keep us cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. Great inexpensive investment that you can typically see immediate results from!
- Use your microwave to warm up dinner versus the oven. 4-5 minutes in the microwave compared to 30 minutes in the oven will generate much less heat.
- Plant trees or shrubs around your a/c unit – it uses less electricity when operating in the shade.
What summer energy saving tips do you use in your homes to help keep cool and keep your electricity bills down in the hotter months?
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