It’s summer and that means it’s scorching how outside. Like most American’s you’ve probably got your AC on full blast to escape the summer heat. The average American spends around $375 a month on cooling alone. There are some easy ways that you can save energy, money, and stay cool on hot summer days.
Keep your windows closed. When it’s hot out you may try opening windows to let in a breeze, but chances are the air outside is hotter than the air already in your house. Open windows at night when the air outside it cooler than the air in your house. Close them again in the morning, including all blinds and curtains. This will help keep the air inside your home cooler than the air outside. Use fans. The trick to using fans is to use them effectively. When using ceiling fans, make sure you have them running the right way. Ceiling fans have a setting to create an updraft in winter. If you have them running the right direction you will feel the air. Also, ceiling fans do not cool the entire room like the air conditioner. Ceiling fans only cool the people sitting close to them so make sure you turn them off when you’re not going to be in the room.
When using a stand-alone fan, you can add a spray bottle to increase the cooling effect. As the water evaporates off of your skin, it lowers your body temperature.
Plant trees. If your house is in a spot where the sun beats down on it all day long, you can save money by planting trees in places around your house so they can provide shade.