#savingelectricity

Summer is on its way!

Our main project, financially, is minimizing our utility bill.  There are other bills we shave money off of whenever we can, but the utility bill is the one that we have the most control over.  In winter we do a lot of things to stay warm without using the central heat, and in summer we try to stay cool without the A/C.

Here is an unfortunate fact: people die from heat stroke, especially the very young, the very old, and pets.  In winter you can always get more blankets, but in summer it’s a lot harder because you can only take off so many layers.  There are still a lot of things you can do though.  Below is a list of things you can to do avoid death or at least discomfort during the summer months without paying a thousand dollar utility bill.  For more general advice, see our post about saving electricity.

Dress for the heat: Wear shorts/skirts and tank tops, even hanging around indoors.  If you wear them outside, make sure you use sunscreen and wear a wide-brimmed hat.  Choose light colored items in cotton.

Use fans:  Ceiling fans are great, but you could also use box fans or high-velocity floor fans to keep air circulating.  This won’t actually make the air cooler, but it will make you feel cooler due to sweat evaporating off your skin.  This will let you keep the thermostat a few degrees higher than what you’d otherwise be comfortable with. You can use fans to create a cross-breeze through your house, too. Make sure your ceiling fans are reversed from the winter months.

Make your windows work: Open your windows at bedtime and let the cooler night air in, so your house will gradually cool over night.  Then close them and pull your curtains to when the sun comes up, to trap the cool air and keep the sun out.    This is inconvenient because you have to wake up super early, but it’s effective.  This time of year it hits 90 during the day here, but 65 at night.  

Use blackout curtains and UV film: These will keep out UV light, which heats up your house.  If you like natural light you can still open the curtains on the side of your house opposite of the sun, so that light comes in but the sun isn’t shining directly inside.  These are also great for keeping the sun out when you’re trying to sleep in on your off day!

Stay hydrated: Skip the sodas, teas and sports drink and have some ice water available all day long.  You can keep a jug of water cold in the fridge, too. 

Get a buzz cut: Yes, even you ladies. At least a summertime trim.  Keep your hair out of your face and if you’re hot, wet it in the sink. 

Shade your house: If you own your home, consider planting some deciduous trees in a location that will shade your roof and windows from direct sunlight.  This can keep the temperature several degrees lower.

Keep an eye on kids and pets: Make sure any children or pets playing outdoors have plenty of water and shade available. Indoors, too.  

Insulate the crap out of everything: This is good advice for any time of year.  Seal up any gaps or cracks and add insulation in the form of fiberglass, foam and weather stripping.  It’ll pay off no matter what the temperature outside is.

Get lightweight bedding: Flannel sheets are great in winter, but in summer you need light cotton and thinner blankets.  If you’re like us you can’t sleep without a blanket on you, no matter how hot it is.  Look for thin cotton or even bamboo blankets, and go without the top sheet if you can.  

Get your A/C tuned up: Or do it yourself, if you know how.  This will keep it running more efficiently, which is important for the environment and your utility bill.  Units that are old or out of whack will work harder, using more energy than necessary and maybe dying a premature death.

Cook outside: Or eat cold foods instead.  Cooking with your oven and stove put heat out into the house, so avoid them as much as possible.  Grill out, or use the microwave, or have cold soup and sandwiches.  PS,This is not an excuse to get fast food!  There are still lots of things you can make for yourself without the stove.

Stay downstairs: Heat rises, so stay on the lowest floor of your house if you can.  Hang out in the basement, it’s nearly guaranteed to be cooler down there than anywhere else.

Sleep naked, if that’s your thing:  Extra layers of fabric only hold in extra heat.

Take cool showers: if you feel yourself overheating, take a cool shower and let yourself air dry.  The cool water will cool you off and prevent your bathroom from heating up like it normally would.

Go swimming or to the water park: If it’s hot at your house, get out of it!  Go to the river, the beach, or the water park.  Go to the library, even, since they’ll have the A/C going.  If you (or your family, kids or pets) aren’t at home, there’s no need to cool it.

Switch to LED bulbs: Incandescent light bulbs produce a LOT more heat than LED or even CFL.  Switch your bulbs for some electrical savings and a cooler house.

Hang your clothes out to dry: We preach about this all the time, but that’s because it just works.  Not only does your dryer use electricity when air dries things for free, but it puts heat out into the room it’s in.  You don’t want that, especially when it’s already 100 degrees outside.  Hang your clothes out to dry, or if it’s raining hang them up in your bathroom or bedroom.

Don’t leave the A/C on when you’re away: There’s a myth that it takes more energy to cool your house if it’s gotten hot than it does to keep it cool all day while you’re at work.  This is 100% false.  If you aren’t home, turn your A/C off.  Keep the windows shut and curtains pulled, and you may come home to find that it’s still surprisingly cool inside.  (If you have pets, make sure the indoor temps don’t go over 78 degrees and that they have fans and fresh water available all day long.)

Create a shady spot outdoors: If it’s stifling inside, go outside!  Sitting in the shade is often cooler than sitting in a house with no air, especially if there is a breeze.  If you’re conserving electricity or if your unit is broken, find a shady spot or put up a canopy to sit under until the sun goes down.

Check on your neighbors: If you have neighbors, friends or family who you suspect don’t have proper air conditioning, check in on them to make sure they are staying hydrated and safe. 

Summer is rolling in quickly, so get started on these ASAP for a cool, comfortable season!