10 Tips for Staying Cool this Summer

There are many ways to stay cooler this summer while at the same time saving money and the environment.  Energy prices are creeping up and keeping your home temperatures at a tolerable level is hard to do without air conditioning.  But below are ten simple things you can do to feel comfortable and save on energy costs. 1.  Drink lots of water to allow your body’s natural cooling system to work at its peak efficiency.  This is a good health habit anyway.

2.  Keep the windows closed and your shades drawn during the day. If nighttime temperatures drop enough, open them up after dark.

3.  Use the microwave instead of your oven to cook your meals or enjoy a cool refreshing salad for dinner, which requires no cooking.

4.  Turn off your furnace pilot light.  You can relight it in the fall when temperatures drop.

5.  Open the bathroom window while showering to vent out moisture and heat.

6.  Install an attic fan to draw the heat out of your attic space – this can drop the temperature in your house by as much as five degrees.

7.  Set your thermostat to 78 degrees instead of the 62 degrees for winter.  If humidity is low in your area, you could probably set it even higher and still feel comfortable.

8.  Skip your dishwashers drying cycle and let the dishes air dry.  It is amazing how much energy this can save.  Use a clothes line and air dry your laundry as well.

9.  Shade your air conditioner. If they are improperly positioned in direct sunlight, they will have to work harder to cool your house.

10. Clean your refrigerator vents and coils to help it run efficiently and check the settings to make sure it is set for between 37 and 40 degrees.