Summer is the season for being outdoors. Think summer, and images of BBQ’s, beaches, and lounging by the pool begin to pop up. Yes, summertime can be very enjoyable when you’re outside. Summertime spent indoors however, is a completely different story. Escape the heat and huge power bill this year by trying a few tricks to stay cool.
Air Conditioning:
There really is no substitute for air conditioning. It cools your home and car and it often does so fairly quickly. Air conditioning does come at a price though, because the harder your unit has to work, the more power you will pay for. Instead of immediately heading over to the thermostat when you get home, walk through your house and make sure your windows are closed so that the cold air will stay in, and the hot air will stay out. You can also avoid plunging the air conditioning to low temperatures by turning your unit on before you leave the house, so that upon returning it isn’t so hot. Aim for the sweet spot which is about 78 degrees.
Standing under a vent is a good way to get a chilly blast of air, but have you thought about how many vents are in your home? If you close off vents in rooms that you won’t be in, you can redirect the air into the rooms you will use which will cool them faster. If your home is still too warm, consider getting a window unit, which will use significantly less power than central air.
Non Air Conditioning:
To really save some money, you can forgo air conditioning altogether and try some other approaches to cool down. Opening windows that are on opposite sides of rooms or across halls can create cross breezes which can provide nice relief to warm, stagnant air. Hanging dark curtains over windows will help block sunlight and heat which can help your home stay cooler throughout the day. If a room in your house is situated in a way that makes it a hot spot in the sun, try closing that area off or avoiding it until later in the day.
Another approach to cooling down is to cool off from within. Ice cream is delicious year round, but it’s a summer staple because it’s cold. Popsicles, cold beverages, and other frozen or cold treats are a great way to cool off quickly. Staying hydrated throughout the day by drinking ice water will help keep the effects of heat at bay. Lastly, if drinking the cold water isn’t doing the trick, fill your tub with cold water or stand under a brisk shower. Cold water is much more soothing during a hot day than first thing in the morning when you’re getting ready for work.
Mix and Match:
Summer is hot, and there isn’t anything you can do about that. However, you can use some of these tricks to beat the heat. For optimal results, try incorporating a combination of options into your strategy and see what works best for you.
Charlie Teschner started MESA Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling in 1982. Charlie has a journeyman and master plumber’s license. He was raised with a strong work ethic and he now applies those values to tasks such as Longmont, CO heating repair.
