Summer will be here soon and with it comes triple-digit temperatures. The high heat of this season can significantly impact your electricity usage and overall well-being. By implementing a few practical strategies, you can stay cool and potentially save energy this summer. Here are some useful tips to stay cool in summer whether you are in your home or enjoying the outdoors.
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1. Use Smart Thermostats
A smart thermostat lets you optimize your cooling schedule, ensuring your home stays cool when needed while saving energy when it’s not. Set your thermostat this summer to turn on just before you arrive and to turn off when you leave.
2. Clean Your Air Conditioner
Heating and cooling are the biggest sources of energy use in the average home, accounting for as much as 55 percent of your electric bill. Since air conditioners are essential during a Texas summer, it's important to keep the AC running efficiently. Replacing a dirty or clogged filter can lower your AC's energy use by 5 to 15 percent, highlighting the importance of eco-friendly air conditioners. Cleaning the unit's coils, coil fins, and condensate drains every few months will also improve its performance.
3. Night Cooling
Take advantage of cooler night temperatures by opening windows at night and closing them in the morning to trap the cool air inside. Ventilating your attic can help you rely less on your air conditioning.
4. Proper Insulation
Proper insulation is key to keeping a house cool in extreme heat. Add insulation to walls, attics, and around doors and windows to keep the cool air in and the hot air out.
5. Switch to Energy-Efficient Lighting
You might not know all the small things in your home that are raising its temperature. One common culprit is incandescent light bulbs. These light bulbs only use 10-15 percent of their electricity for visible light. The rest is emitted as heat that makes your room warmer. Switch off lights when you don't need them or swap out your incandescent bulbs for cooler LEDs.
Related: Learn About ENERGY STAR® Appliances
6. Keep Your Garage Cool
Garages can become extremely hot, impacting the overall temperature of your home. To keep your garage cool, consider installing insulation on garage doors and walls. Ventilation is also key; install vents or use a portable fan to improve air circulation. Reflective window films or shades can block heat from entering through garage windows.
7. Eat Chilled Meals
To cool off in the kitchen, try serving salads, spring rolls, or chilled soups that don't require heat. In addition to being refreshing, many of these foods are prepared using small appliances like blenders or no appliances at all. Ovens and stovetops add heat to your kitchen.
8. Air-Dry Your Clothes
Clothes dryers use more energy than dishwashers and washing machines combined and add heat to your home. Take advantage of the warm summer sun and a strong breeze to dry your clothes outside on a clothesline. Running your dryer only adds heat to your home. Instead, save energy by letting clothes dry in the summer sun.
9. Move the Air Around
Help your air conditioner cool the house by circulating the chilled air. Running ceiling fans at the same time as your AC will move the air around evenly. You can also deploy spot ventilation in rooms that tend to be warmer, such as kitchens or bathrooms. Spot ventilation, using localized exhaust fans in kitchens and bathrooms, improves overall ventilation by removing indoor air pollution and moisture.
10. Cover Your Windows
Window blinds are particularly effective for preventing summer heat gain by blocking out the sun. If blinds are completely closed and lowered during the day, they will reduce heat gain by as much as 45 percent. If you want to let some light in, use the slats in your blinds to direct the light toward the ceiling. This will diffuse the heat from the sunlight while still brightening the room.
Adding reflective films to your windows can also help reduce heat gain by reflecting sunlight away from windows that receive direct sunlight.
11. Use Your Pool Efficiently
Pools are a fantastic way to stay cool during the summer. Spending time in the water can significantly lower your body temperature and provide a refreshing break from the heat. To make the most of your energy-efficient pool, consider using a pool cover to reduce evaporation. Additionally, maintaining proper chemical levels and regular cleaning can keep your pool in top shape without excessive energy consumption.
12. Don't Forget Your Attic
It may seem counterintuitive, but you actually do want to let outside air creep in and out of your attic. As the sun beats down on your home, your attic is often the warmest inside area. But a well-ventilated attic will keep that super-hot air from becoming trapped, which can lead to moisture problems that cause mold buildup or damage to your roof. Be sure to keep the attic's soffit vents clear, and on the hottest days, consider running a fan in your attic.
13. Stay Hydrated
In extreme heat, your body loses water quickly. Drink plenty of fluids throughout the day. Water is best for staying cool, but sports drinks can help replace electrolytes lost through sweating.
14. Take Cool Showers
Taking a cool shower or bath can lower your body temperature. If you don't have access to a shower, wetting a cloth with cool water and applying it to your wrists, neck, and forehead can also help.
15. Limit Outdoor Activities
Try to limit your outdoor activities to the early morning or late evening when temperatures are cooler. If you must be outside, take frequent breaks in the shade and wear light, loose-fitting clothing.
16. Use Fans Wisely
While fans don't lower the temperature, they help circulate air, making you feel cooler. Place a bowl of ice in front of a fan to create a cooling mist that can help lower the temperature in a small area.
17. Create a Cool Room
Identify the coolest room in your house and use it as a retreat during the hottest parts of the day. Keep the windows and doors closed to maintain the lower temperature. Consider installing blackout curtains to block out the heat from the sun.
18. Wear the Right Clothing
Choose lightweight, light-colored, and loose-fitting clothing to stay cool.
19. Use Portable Shade
Carry umbrellas, canopies, or portable shade structures to protect yourself from the sun.
20. Sun Protection
Always wear hats and use sunscreen to protect against the sun’s harmful rays.
Visit Gexa Energy for more energy-saving tips to stay cool in summer.
