As warmer temperatures are here to stay, many homeowners have fired up their air conditioners. On a 90-degree day with high humidity, the outdoor air can be utterly oppressive, and so can the air inside.
Lucky homeowners can crank up the A/C and hibernate until temps drop, but there are many homes in our area without central air conditioning or even window units. There are simple, effective methods to keep your home cooler, keep you safe and save you money this summer.
Try these easy tips to keep cool and help the environment, too.
• Keep shades or curtains drawn during the day to keep heat out.
• Use major appliances – dishwasher, clothes washer, dryer – with heavy energy usage in early morning or late evening.
• Hang clothes out to dry rather than using a regular dryer.
• Install a programmable thermostat to keep your home warmer when you are at work and cooler when you are sleeping.
• Avoid using the oven/stove. Make meals on the grill, in the microwave, in a crock pot or, better yet, make reservations.
• Change your A/C’s air filter monthly during cooling season. Dust build-up can reduce efficiency.
• For window A/C units, rinse the filter with water then clean with a bleach solution to kill any possible mold spores on the filter and let dry before re-installing.
• Use fans wherever, whenever possible.
• Change fan blade direction flow on ceiling fans to move hot air up in summer – there is a small toggle switch on fan motor.
• Plant trees on the west- and south-facing sides of the home to give shade.
• Freeze water in 2L bottles and place them in front of a fan. Fan will distribute cool vapors. Freeze an extra bottle for your pets to lie against. Keep a towel under bottles to collect condensation and protect your flooring.
• Hang a white sheet or sheer curtain over window and mist with water. Breeze will send cool air into the room.
• Soak wrists and feet in cool water – cooling extremities is believed to cool your core.
Of course, always check on pets and elderly during high peaks of heat. Heat stroke can occur quickly and be life threatening. Most importantly, drink lots of water all summer long.
