Unless you live somewhere with a perfect climate (and if so, please tell us where that place is in the comments, asking for a friend) then it’s hot, hot, hot. And when the days are sunny, dry, and hot, it can feel like your air conditioner is running non-stop, and if the air conditioner is running non-stop, then that probably sounds expensive. During the winter it’s a no-brainer to cozy up in an extra layer, and maybe even a blanket, but the summertime is a bit more challenging. Today we’re going to talk about a few ways you can keep your house a little more energy efficient this summer and keep costs down. Let’s get started!
First things first, check your air conditioner to ensure that it’s working properly and that your vents have been cleaned of dust, that there’s no furniture sitting in the way of vents, and that there aren’t any lamps near your thermostat. (The thermostat will feel the heat from the lightbulb and keep trying to cool the space down, and since it’s just a lightbulb, the air will keep running and running.)
Ceiling fans for oscillating fans are great to have in any (or every) room for an extra breeze. Studies show that with a fan, you can raise your thermostat temp by 4 degrees without sacrificing comfort if you’ve got a fan in the room; just keep in mind that fans are to cool people, not entire rooms. (And always turn it off as you leave the room!)
This one is kind of a bummer if you love to let the sunshine in, but keep your blinds closed unless they’re north-facing. North-facing windows let in the natural light sans heat, but all other blinds should stay closed to keep out greenhouse effects from the sun.
To keep costs down, make sure you’re unplugging chargers, computers, and other small electronics when not in use. This is a small way to save big bucks on your energy bill!
Just say no to using the oven. Ovens are great during the winter because they warm your house up and make it smell great (well, the food inside does!) but not so great during the summer. Opt instead to use a slow cooker or air fryer, or better yet, bust out the grill!
This is a year-round energy-efficient tip, wash clothes with cold water. This can save you a couple hundred annually on your energy bill.