Over the years we are often asked the best ways to keep energy bills low in the summer. Here are a few tips of things you can do now without a big investment:
- Ceiling Fans– If you have them, use them! Air movement makes you feel about 5 degrees cooler than the actual air temperature. This means you can have your thermostat set to 80, but you’ll feel like you are running it at 75!
- Oscillating or Box Fans– Same as ceiling fans, just portable. Put them in the rooms you are in. On cooler nights, open the windows and place fans in front of them to help pull the cooler air in. Here in Sacramento, this is a great way to take advantage of the Delta breezes.
*One thing to note with room fans: They cool people, not rooms. It is that evaporation off the skin that makes it feel cooler. So if you aren’t in a room, there really isn’t a reason to keep a ceiling or room fan running. - Drapes and Window Blinds– Keep all the drapes shut and blinds closed as much as possible. Yes, your house may feel a little dungeon like, but keeping the sunlight out keeps the house from heating up.
- Avoid the Oven– This doesn’t mean you get to eat out, sorry to disappoint! But think about making salads or sandwiches on days it is too hot to cook. Use your slow cooker or pressure cooker which won’t heat up the house. Or grill outside if you can.
- Do Less Housework– Running the dishwasher or dryer during the hottest part of the day will add to the heat load in your home as well as the energy consumption load of your utility company. Think of it as a good excuse to relax with a good book while saving money.
- Light it Up– Change incandescent light bulbs to LED. Not only do they have a longer life span, the don’t give out the amount of heat the old style bulbs do. It may not seem like much, but every little bit helps. Especially if you have all the blinds closed!
- Bedtime Routines– Right before bed, spray down your top bed sheet with water in a spray bottle. Turn on a room or ceiling fan and crawl into bed. It will be nice and cool (at least for a little while) and help you get to sleep.Do you have tips you would like to share? Please feel free to comment below!