5 Ways to Be Energy-Conscious This Summer and Still Beat the Heat

It feels like the summer temperature is increasing year after year and the easiest solution to this uncomfortable hotness is to turn up the AC. However, by doing so, we often have that feeling of guilt as we know the shock we will be in once the energy bill arrives at the end of the month.

Even more so, the negative impact we have on the environment should be our biggest concern. By using more energy (through your AC for example), we add to the global warming effect, making the summers hotter and the vicious cycle continues.

Luckily, there are simple ways we can still beat the heat, without consuming too much energy. The best way to do so is to become conscious about the energy we use in our home. Here are some great ways to become energy conscious and still stay cool in the summer.

1. Keep It Simple

Make Use of Windows

Remember that warm air rises and cold air stays at the bottom, so open the lower windows and let some cool air in. If a breeze can be felt through the day, maybe that is all you need to keep your home cool during the day. If not, then at least open your windows in the mornings when the air is still cool and fresh from the night. Allow the breeze to enter your home, while the AC is still off and then close them once the temperature rises outside.

Make Use of Blinds

Find out when the sun hits each room in your home. Make sure to have those blinds or curtains closed during that period in that specific area. This will avoid the sun heating that space. You can also make use of in insulating curtains which are great during the summer as well as winter.

2. Cool Efficiently

Turn down the AC

You do not have to turn your AC up all the way to stay cool. Turn the AC down just a little. The best balance between staying comfortable and keeping cost low is at a 78-degree temperature, so let that be your goal. Of course, everyone is different, and different temperatures will satisfy different people, so play around with the thermostat, and if you can turn it down even lower, that is a bonus.

Use a Ceiling Fan

The alternative to an AC is a ceiling fan which uses less energy, and it can create a killer breeze. If you want to use both the AC and the fan, then the ceiling fan will circulate the cold air more efficiently. Energy star fans are the best option, of course. Keep in mind to flip the switch on the fan in the right position, in the summer time the fan should be running counter-clockwise.

3. Invest for Better Efficiency

Insulation

By installing insulation in your attic, you will keep the cool air from escaping through the ceiling. Ducts around the vents and registers should also be sealed, as 20% of cool air can escape in these areas if overlooked. The same rule applies to the winter time when you are heating up your home.

Either way, if you have the budget or you need to make some home improvements, insulating your home is a great way to make it more energy-efficient. This includes insulation, energy-efficient doors, and double paned windows. Cool roofs are another significant investment to ensure that your home will stay cooler in the summer.

4. Use Less Energy Overall

Turn Off Lights

If you are already conscious about saving energy, then you should know that keeping appliance plugged in and the lights on when they are not needed only increase the electricity bill. Even more so, keeping lights on in the room when not required, also adds to the temperature in your home. LED bulbs are a great way to save energy, and they generate less heat than old incandescent light bulbs.

Use Cold Water

When washing clothes, you do not always need hot water, especially when washing colors. Wash your clothes in a cold cycle instead, which will avoid using energy to heat the water. Keep in mind that waiting until you have a full load can help as well.

Shower Smart

Cold showers are a great way to refresh yourself on a hot day. If this is not for you, then at least make an effort to take a shorter shower instead. Energy is being used to heat the water, which means the quicker the shower, the less power is being used.

 

5. Keep Your Food Cool Efficiently

The best temperature setting for your refrigerator is between 35 and 38 degrees Fahrenheit. For your freezer, it helps to keep it full, as it will be more energy-efficient. Also, when your freezer or fridge is in an area that the sun can reach during the day, it will pull more power in its attempt to keep cool. So, it is best to move them to the coolest area in your kitchen, away from the sun and away from the heat of the stove or oven.

Plan Your Meals

Making use of the stove and oven only increases the heat inside your home. But still, one must eat, so it is best to cook during the time of the day when it is the least hot outside. Summer is also a great time to fill up on salads or cook outside.

Use Outside Resource

Plant a Tree

By planting more trees on your property, mainly on the east and west sides of your home, you will have plenty of shade in the summer. When a breeze arrives, it will pick up the moisture from the plants and trees around your home which will result in a cooling effect when the breeze reaches your house. Green roofs are a big investment, but they hold many benefits during the summer and the winter.

Don’t Just Stay Indoors

If all else fails, it is best to step outside of your comfort zone, in this case, your comfort zone being your home where the AC works overtime. If you are close to the beach, you can go cool down in the water. Public areas, like libraries, malls, indoor pools, etc., will all have their AC running, so why not do some shopping or enjoy an indoor pool when the heat is at its peak and save on your electricity bill.

Final Thoughts

So, there you have it, staying cool during the summer does not have to be that difficult. With a little bit of common sense, your energy bills will not increase so much. Drink lots of fluids, wear light clothes and leave the hard work for the cooler hours. Try to keep cool efficiently, and while you are at it, try to enjoy the sun because when winter arrives again, you will be dealing with how to keep warm efficiently.

 

Author: Mattea Jacobs
Short bio: Mattea Jacobs is a freelance writer who mostly writes about both interior and exterior home design, and environmentally-friendly ways to improve homes. She is also a green activist and a mother of two beautiful sons. You can reach her on Facebook and Instagram.