Summer is here with sunny weather and soaring temperatures. While the bright, long days are music to our soul, the sizzling heat sometimes drains our energy and leaves us feeling uncomfortable. But we’re not too worried because we can retreat into our homes, blast the AC, and escape from the heat.
Of course, everyone knows that running air conditioning contributes to a larger energy bill, and this, in turn, contributes to more pollution.
Admittedly, there are days when we just can’t function without the AC on. A few tips on how to operate it wisely and how to stay cool naturally can help your pocket book and the planet.
Set your thermostat. In summer, the thermostat should not be set any lower than 25 degrees Celsius or 78 degrees Fahrenheit. Room temperature is considered to be anywhere between 20 to 25 degrees Celsius. If we’re reasonable, we would expect to be slightly warmer in summertime. When adjusting the thermostat, do it one degree at a time to test the comfort level of the family. As you acclimatize to warmer weather, you will realize you don’t need to blast the AC to feel comfortable. Gradually changing the temperature according to current weather saves energy. We all know the irony of the office worker with an electric heater under her desk while the building’s air conditioner plunges the office into a deep freeze. Don’t make this faux pas at home by sitting on the coach wrapped in a blanket with the AC on high.
Help your body stay cool naturally. Drinking plenty of cool water, yes, water (not pop or coffee), will help keep you hydrated and give your body what it needs to cool itself. Wear loose, breathable clothing. Cotton is usually a good fabric for helping to keep your body cool. You can even use a spray bottle or a wet towel to cool yourself. And if you’ve taken a shower, and are not going out, leave your hair wet. This will also save on the energy used by running a hair dryer.
Using compact fluorescent lights is not only a wise energy saving choice, but they also give off less heat than incandescent lights.
A simple floor or ceiling fan may provide all the cooling you need at times, and it will use a lot less energy than an air conditioner.
When running the air conditioner, keep the windows closed to help it run more efficiently and to keep the heat outside!
Take into consideration causes of external heat gain. For example, large windows are a huge source of not only light, but also heat when the sun is pouring in through them. Use adjustable blinds or reflective window coverings or treatments. They can go a long way to reduce heat gain inside your home.
Appliances such as a stove, oven, dishwasher, and clothes dryer are big culprits in internal heat gain. Cooking out of doors can help keep the house cooler. The microwave is also a good option. Try running the dishwasher at cooler times of the day, such as in the early morning or evening. Also let the dishes air dry or use a towel to dry them as opposed to heat drying them. Again, this saves on energy directly and indirectly.
Trying a few or all of these points will really help improve the efficiency of operating an air conditioner and will help to reduce your carbon footprint. Even in the middle of a hot, summer day, you’ll feel refreshingly comfortable.
