Top 8 Ways to Beat the Heat.
Hot summer days don’t have to mean greater energy consumption and expense. In addition to the ideas below, if we acclimate our bodies to the summer heat by avoiding big temperature swings, we can rely less on AC to cool us down.
- Turn up the Dial. Each degree above 78 (Fahrenheit), can save 5 to 8 percent on cooling costs.
- Use a Fan. A fan will cost two to five cents per hour to operate and can make the room feel 4 to 6 degrees cooler. When used in conjunction with AC, a fan helps move around dry, dehumidified air from the AC.
- “Texas Cool”. Open windows at night and close them during the day allowing hot air out and cool air in. This is an especially good tactic for those without AC during hot and humid days!
- Pull the shades. Keep hot sunrays at bay and keep your house cooler! Preventing direct sunlight from beating inside your home will keep your house cooler and energy bills down.
- Replace Light Bulbs. Compact fluorescents bulbs use about 75 percent less energy and emit 90 percent less heat than incandescent bulbs.
- Hang Clothes on the Line. Tumble dryers consume the most energy of all household appliances. They make a house hot and increase the load of AC. The sun offers fast, fresh smelling dryer services at no cost! Drying clothes on the line helps reduce your household’s carbon emissions. It’s also easier on your clothes then a tumble dryer.
- Eat Smart. Eat light and cool meals. Keep both your kitchen and your body cool by avoiding use of oven. Eat cold tuna or pasta salads, cold marinated veggie dishes and chilled watermelon. Keeping the oven off will avoid unwanted heat in your home. Raw foods are healthy and require no energy “to make”, therefore produces no added heat.
- Seek Water. Keeping hydrated throughout the day helps prevent getting “zapped” by the heat! Also, jumping in a pool, lake or river or running through a sprinkler is more fun then sitting in front of the AC. It’s less drain on the cooling load and boosts your energy!
When we work with our natural environment rather than against it, we become more balanced and comfortable and we do the environment a big favor!
http://greenhomeguide.com/know-how/article/10-ways-to-beat-the-heat
http://www.homedepot.ca/wcsstore/HomeDepotCanada/pdf/eco_options/summer_checklist.pdf
