As summer approaches, it becomes far too easy to rely on air conditioners to keep you cool from the warmest days or in some areas the overbearing heat. While air conditioners may be convenient, energy costs are on the rise again and using one endlessly this summer will quickly increase your utility bill.
Pull Down the Shade to Block Solar Heat
Conserving energy in the high heat of summer will not only help you to save money on your utility bill but it will also reduce your carbon footprint. Here are some simple things you can do to use less energy during the summer months:
- Use fans to circulate cooled air and open your windows for cross ventilation. Fans use less energy than air conditioners and unlike the latter, they also circulate air rather than keeping it trapped in a single room.
- Run washing machines, dryers and dishwashers early in the morning rather than later in the evening during peak energy usage hours.
- Take advantage of the sunshine and use a clothesline to dry your clothes.
- Close shades and blinds to minimize solar heat gain.
- If the nights are cool, open the windows for the night and close them early in the morning, trapping the cool night air in the house.
- Turn off the lights when you leave the room. Not only will this save energy but it also helps keep the room cooler.
- Replace your incandescent bulbs with CFLS instead. These use much less energy and generate far less heat than the former. One of the simplest ways to reduce the heat in your home.
More from GLI:
All great advice that I have heard before but it never hurts to be reminded of. I never had air conditioning until the late 70s when I moved into my first apartment. Unfortunately, very few “newer” houses/apartments are built for cross ventilation. We live in a berm that has no windows on the north side. Opening the doors helps some but not much. Especially with high humidity. However, I love ceiling fans. I used to watch the decorating shows where the designer removes the fan almost every time. My reaction was “Not in my home.” It may look great but there’s a reason for the fan and it better stay.
This is all great advice. I love this blog! Thanks!
Thank you Monson, we appreciate the feedback. Glad you found the tips useful!
Try installing a geothermal system. After the tax credits that are available the cost is very minimal.
Great tips! In addition to the above, I have a master surge protector, on my computer. I flip off the switches for the equipment that I don’t plan to use, at any given session. Also, I turn the computer totally off, when not in use
I just had to share this with the Green concious folks. I am a contractor and I use a lot of garbage bags. I always wanted to buy biodegradable garbage bags but they are either too expensive or not strong enough, or have both problems. I finally found a company, PrideGreen, that makes an affordable biodegradable trash bag that is strong. Check them out on the web:
http://www.prs-online.com/products.asp?dept=120
Thanks for sharing such great post, it will surely help many people who want to save money.
With the economy the way that it is, so many people can benefit and save money from the tips in this blog. For those looking to go green in their clothing style should check out INDIE PEACE @ indiepeace.myshopify.com. The fact that they use 100% certified organic cotton makes the material more durable, lasting longer and reducing cost in the long run.
Just a tip for those looking to expand their efforts to go green and the shirts are affordable even in this tough economy!
I tried those PrideGreen bags (biodegradable). What a great deal. I save .10 a bag. Every 10 bags I save a dollar. My company uses 1000 bags a month. That is 100 bucks a month. That pays for our water cooler (:
These are some great ideas! Here is a cool site that helps remind and motivate you to continue doing the things that save energy and money, you can even see how much you are saving over time with the cf bulbs you have changed
http://www.myhomechannel.org
Dont forget to switch monitors off when u leave the office….
just another idea
Thanks for all these tips….
Good day for everyone
Electricity use for lighting will go down by 75% when using CFLsn, almost guaranteeing a 10-fold return on the cost of the bulbs. Each bulb will save about $30 in electricity over its useful life. With a cost of $3 per bulb or less, this is one of easiest ways to go green and save money. More details here:
http://livinggreenandsavingenergy.com/going-green-and-earning-money-an-easy-and-safe-investment-that-will-earn-ten-times-your-money.html
Again, you have not one word about LEDs. CFLs still contain mercury, give millions of us migraines and STILL make everybody look UGLY! Do I have to repeat how much better LEDs are? Less energy used, less energy to produce, last longer, installable in a ceiling can, underwater, etc, NO mercury, NO migraines [yay!] integrate directly with solar/wind/wave/bike generator power supplies. AND, they don’t make us look UGLY! Doc Hollis says GO LED! [That's a prescription]