Whenever the weather gets really hot, utility bills tend to shoot up exponentially. Although cranking up the AC is one way to beat the oppressive heat, you don’t have to pay through the nose to feel cooled.
1. Use an Electric Fan
Most fans only cost up to five cents an hour. Plus, they’re great for generating air circulation. When air movement is produced, a room’s temperature can drop up to six degrees. Ceiling fans are the best choice because they push air down, although portable fans are a reliable alternative.
You’ll save even more money by using the fan only when you’re inside the room. Motion detector switches, which cost $20, can instantly switch the fan on the moment you come into the room, and switch it off if the room is empty. If you have pets inside the house, turn off the motion detector switch before leaving the room because your animals might cause the fan to go on and off while you’re away.
2. Smart Cooking
Electronic appliances that produce heat can increase your home’s temperature. An oven can even raise room temperature by 10 degrees. The safest, best way to go about this is to save baking during more temperate hours, and to use the grill outside. If you can, use a slow cooker or a microwave instead of your oven.
3. Give Your Household Appliances a Break
Anything that you plug into a socket can contribute to the heat in your house. When you put appliance use to a minimum, you not only cool off your house, you also cut down your bills. Run the clothes dryer and dishwasher at night when the air is cooler. Better yet, wash and dry the dishes with your bare hands if it gets really hot.
When they’re not being used, power down and plug out ceiling fans, TVs, computers and so on. If there’s enough natural light from outside, turn off your lighting fixtures.
Some utility companies have lower rates during off peak hours.
4. Check Doors and Windows
It’s actually easy for unwanted heat to enter windows and doors. If they don’t have to be open, make sure they’re shut tight. If you tend to leave the garage door open, close that as well because it may let heat enter.
Don’t forget the fireplace damper. It’s another common source of heat from outdoors.
If there’s slight breeze outside, you might not need the AC if you just open the windows. Let cool air enter your house, and open more than one of your windows so there’s proper air circulation.
5. Keeping the Patio Shaded and Cool
If your patio needs some shading and breeze, a misting cooling system can definitely do the trick, but this device is expensive, though. Plus, it uses loads of energy. Instead, why not use a freestanding fan? It’s just as efficient. Shade also helps temperatures to drop dramatically. Purchase deck umbrellas to shade your patio furniture, patio tables, etc. If your backyard has huge trees, you probably get by with small deck umbrellas.
Swimming pools provide a cooling effect as well as recreational activities. Add pool deck umbrellas so that all your guests are protected from the heat while splashing around under the sun.