Secrets for Staying Cool for Less
When the temperature begins to rise during the summer, your first instinct as a homeowner is to turn on your air conditioner. Now, whether it’s a central or window unit, these helpful cooling devices will not only keep you comfortable, but they can also increase your energy bills — something that no homeowner ever wants to endure. Although you may feel as if you can’t beat the heat without a continuously running AC, it is possible — and here’s how:
Block all Sunlight
One of the best ways to keep your home cool is to block any sunlight that peers through — but how can you do that? Simple: keep the blinds and curtains shut. In a similar nature of a greenhouse, any rays that burst through the windows of your home tend to heat it. While this is beneficial to do in the wintertime, it is quite a burden in the summertime.
No matter how beautiful the sunshine may seem, do your very best to keep it from pooling into your home. If you have blinds, keep them shut or open them on a slight angle. This will truly make a difference — especially if you have your air conditioner on; the unit won’t turn on as often to try and re-cool your home again (which can use more energy than you think).
Change your Sheets
It’s an absolute necessity to have thick, comfortable bedding in the colder months, but what about in the summer? While it might be tough to temporarily part with that plush bedding, it’s a good thing that you do. The reason being is that depending on the material of the “winter bedding,” it can still keep you much warmer than you realize — even if you’re only using the top sheet and fitted sheet.
During the warmer months, you’ll want to opt for bedding that’s light, airy, and made of a light material, such as cotton. Cotton will help keep you comfortable, but it won’t trap the heat in like more substantial, bulkier materials such as wool, flannel, and fleece.
Wear Light, Bright Clothing
If you’re a fan of wearing darker hues of clothing during the summer, we have some bad news to share: it’s a magnet for trapping heat and keeping you warm. Whether you’re running errands or attending a barbecue at a friend’s house, it’s essential to select your clothing for maximum comfort carefully. For starters, you’ll want to be very picky when it comes to the material. Just like when selecting summer bedding, you’ll want to avoid heavy materials, such as flannel, and opt for cotton.
Now, in terms of the color of your clothing, it’s best to keep it light and bright. That way, you’ll avoid being a “magnet” for trapping heat. One of the best options is to opt for white, followed by other light colors such as light blue, light pink, and light yellow, for starters!
Choose to Cook in Nature
When was the last time you decided to fire up the grill and cook outside? For some, that could have been the other day — but cooking outside, instead of using the stove in your kitchen, will help in the fight against the heat. Think about it: when you’re using a grill, any heat that’s radiating off the top will dwindle back into the open air and not inside of your home. You’ll not only feel much cooler by doing this, but you’ll have a lovely, cool house to dine in without putting your AC into overdrive.
Think Your AC Has Seen Better Days?
Even when you turn your central AC on after utilizing these tips, do you still feel as if your energy bills are still astronomical? If that’s the case, contact Frasier’s Plumbing and Heating, Inc. at (715) 804-0947 to schedule your central air conditioning maintenance/repair today!
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