Mid Summer Review: Strategies to Stay Cool
July 6, 2018
Don’t really want to say it, but our summer is almost half over. We’ve had our share of hot steamy summer days with more expected. Luckily there are a lot of tips out there to help you keep your home cool and your energy bills manageable. We’ve assembled tips from state and federal agencies to help you save energy, save money, and stay cool all summer long. We also highlighted some of our favorite tips.
The Minnesota Department of Commerce issued Tips for beating the heat…and saving on home energy costs.
For those who don’t have central air conditioning and are looking to install or replace a room or window unit, Energy Star has a guide for helping you figure what to buy.
If you were ever curious about how an air conditioner works, the Department of Energy has put together an infographic that explains it and offers energy saving tips.
For a short-cut version, here are some of CUB’s favorite no/low -cost recommendations:
- Adjust your thermostat. The Department of Energy recommends having your air conditioner set for 78 degrees when home and higher when away.
- Use fans instead of or with air conditioning to feel more comfortable. A fan can make you feel four degrees cooler. Remember to turn the fan off when you leave the room as the fan doesn’t actually cool the air, it just makes you feel cooler.
- Manage your windows and window treatments to manage the heat. Open windows and allow cool breezes in during the mornings and evenings. Close window treatments during the day to keep the hot sun from warming up your house.
- Take advantage of saver programs offered by your local utility that provide a discount for allowing your utility to cycle your air conditioner on and off during peak energy times.