7 Ways to Beat the Summer Heat Without Wasting Money on AC

 The cost of living is constantly rising, and many families struggle just to pay the bills. The summer months, which always see a spike in energy usage, put a further strain on family finances. There is no energy-saving plan that will suit all lifestyles, but there are several ways a family can take energy-saving measures that save both money from the monthly budget and emissions from our eroding climate.

Delay Tactics

Keep the air conditioner off as long as possible. The further into the season a family can make it before turning the air conditioner on in the first place, the better. There are a few tricks to dealing with the heat, and all of them are about training the body to adjust gradually to warmer weather. No matter when and how often the air conditioner is run, it is very important to drink enough water. This is true regardless of the season, but even more important in the summer. Try to avoid the outdoors during the hottest part of the day. Do your gardening in the mornings or evenings. Don’t run the air conditioner in your car, especially for a short trip, or do a lot of shopping on really hot days. Going in and out of air-conditioned places, back and forth from cold to hot will make it a lot harder to leave the air-conditioner at home turned off.

Save energy While Driving

Many think they will save on gas during the summer if they turn off the air conditioner and drive with the windows open. Great idea, but only when applied in the right situations. It only works for town driving, when traveling at speeds less than 45 mph. On the highway, or whenever else you may be driving above 45 mph, opening windows actually causes enough drag on the car to offset any energy savings from turning off the air conditioner. You can stay away from your air conditioner altogether by purposely choosing roads where you can travel below 45 mph. This may save gas too, another boost for your wallet.

Laundry

By washing clothes in cooler water, the hot water heater will sustain less wear and generate less heat. Try not to use the dryer. Not only does it save a lot of money on electricity, it will keep the house cooler. Portable clotheslines can be purchased for under $20 and clothes dry very fast. If you must run the dryer, do it at night.

If You Can’t Stand the Heat, Get Out of the Kitchen

Good advice. Learning to cook without using the stove not only saves money, it saves time. Try making dinner using a crockpot or barbeque outside. This makes clean up a lot easier and generates less heat inside the house. Using the dishwasher on a shorter cycle is another strategy for saving energy and reducing sources of heat in your home. You could also consider hand washing the old fashion way in cold water. It will cool down your body and save energy.

Check the Fridge

If you can keep the house cooler, you’ll be less tempted to stand in front of an open freezer door. Be careful to store wet foods in sealed containers. The additional moisture in the cabinet will make the condenser work harder. Also check that the magnetic rubber seals around the doors are clean and tight to cut down on air leaks. These tips will ensure your fridge isn’t working harder than it should to cool down the cabinet, creating more heat in your kitchen. You should also check your condenser coils to be sure they are clean and functioning correctly. Clean coils use a lot of energy. You can buy specially made coil brushes at appliance stores that are made to bend easily and reach into tight areas. 

Home Improvements to Beat the Heat

There are a few home improvement projects you can do to help keep your home cooler as well. Some of these including making sure your attic is properly insulated and installing thick window shades to keep out the sunlight. Plan for future summers by planting shade trees between your home and the southern exposure. This is where the most sunlight comes from, heating up your house in summer. 

Other Tips

A cool shower is a great way to beat the heat and reduce heat in your home. If the heat becomes overwhelming and you just need a quick break, a bowl full of ice in front of a fan will keep you cool, as long as you save this tactic for rare occasions.  Open your windows at night and use fans to circulate the cool air. First thing in the morning, close the windows and shades on the eastern and southern sides of the house to keep out the heat as long as possible. As the sun passes it’s high point, open up the south and east and close down the opposite sides of the house.