With summer rapidly approaching, there are many things to look forward to from vacations to days with long hours of daylight to family picnics and pool parties.
One thing most of us do not look forward to, however, is the impending heat and humidity. This is especially dreaded for many because of the effects it has on their air conditioning.
It seems inevitable that the thermostat gets turned way down during the hottest days of the summer, putting an additional strain on your air conditioning unit and your electric bills. Here are a few tips to help keep you cool this summer without overworking your air conditioner.
Use Your Ceiling Fan
Many people think of ceiling fans as nothing more than decorations. While they do add to your home’s decor, they can also be an effective way to stay cool in the summer.
Fans help to circulate the cool air in your home, making the room feel more comfortable. Additionally, the breeze dries up any perspiration and adds a wind chill effect to the room, which makes it feel cooler even without lowering the temperature.
If you don’t already have them, it’s a good idea to consider installing ceiling fans throughout your house. During the summer months, you always want to have these running counterclockwise so that they’re pushing cool air down towards the floor. While they might not actually lower the temperature in your house, ceiling fans are an effective way to instantly make your home feel cooler and more comfortable.
Stay Hydrated
One easy way to stay cool this summer without turning down the thermostat is to drink plenty of cold water.
Not only will this immediately make you feel cooler - after all, sometimes it really is all in the mind - but it will also help keep your body temperature lower, which helps you stay cool.
Drinking cold water is always a healthy habit, but during the hottest days of summer, it has the added bonus of keeping you cool without overworking your air conditioner. Encouraging all of your family members to stay well-hydrated will be a good way to make you all a little more healthy and comfortable this summer.
Keep the Blinds Closed
While we enjoy taking advantage of its warming benefits during the winter, in the summertime the sun can heat up your home all too quickly. Keeping blinds closed or even using light curtains during the day can significantly reduce the temperature in your home.
So, while you might enjoy natural light and the brightness that it brings to your home, during the heat of summer block direct sunlight as much as possible to help regulate your home’s temperature.
We have all felt the struggles of summer electric bills, but there are things you can do to combat this annual increase. We hope you’ll try these tips this year, and please share this post with anyone you know that struggles with their summer electric bill or that is dreading the onset of the summer heat because of the effect it will have on their air conditioner.
