Homeowners throughout the United States are struggling to keep up with the growing cost of living and soaring household costs as the sweltering summer temperatures sweep across the country. Many of us are on a constant lookout for affordable ways to maintain comfortable temperatures in our homes.
This summer, keep your home cool without draining your bank account by following the advice of A-Plan Insurance’s resident cooling expert, Catherine Grayson. You can be cool and comfy without worrying about your power bill if you follow these ingenious suggestions.
Smart Strategies to Manage Your Energy Consumption
- Track Daily Energy Usage: Keep track of your energy use by checking your meter every day. You may readily spot areas of possible expenditure by keeping track of your consumption trends.
- Analyze Past Energy Bills: Reviewing your past energy bills might provide you with useful information about your typical monthly use. Using this information, you may calculate your anticipated yearly consumption and identify areas in which you might make reductions.
- Embrace Smart Meters: Put in a smart meter to track your energy use in real-time. It not only displays your energy use but also automatically relays that information to your electricity provider.
Innovative Ways to Keep Your Home Cool Without Air Conditioning
- Damp and Cool Curtains: Spraying water on your curtains will keep them moist and cold, saving you money that you may otherwise spend on more costly cooling systems. You might also have blinds that are heat-reflective in the summer and insulative in the winter.
- Sunlight Deflection: To lessen the amount of heat that enters your house from the sun, keep your blinds closed throughout the day. This little hack not only helps keep the home cooler, but it also provides a safe haven from pollen for those who suffer from hay fever.
Maximizing Your Air Conditioning Unit’s Efficiency
- Ice Cube Boost: Make the most of your air conditioner by using this ingenious hack. If you or your dogs are overheated, put a bowl of ice in front of a fan. This will provide for a more pleasant night’s sleep by increasing the cooling effect.
- Frozen Plastic Bottles: Keep those soda bottles from the trash! Fridge-freeze the water that’s in them. These cold packs may be reused and melted slowly in front of fans or air conditioners to act as improvised “cold water bottles.”
Additional Tips for a Cooler Home and Lower Bills
- Cooking Outdoors: During hot days, cooking indoors should be kept to a minimum. Grill out and serve refreshing salads to keep the indoor temperature down.
- Unplug Electronic Devices: Electronics that are left on standby even when they are not in use still require energy. If you want to preserve power and prevent overheating, unplug them from the wall after they’re done charging.
- Stay Hydrated: Be sure to have a few bottles of water in the fridge at all times. Keeping yourself well hydrated has several purposes, including maintaining a healthy body temperature.
- Strategize Your Schedule: Plan your day so that you are not going to go outside when it is too hot. Grocery shopping and other necessary outings may be scheduled for the evening when it is cooler.
Bottom Line
Catherine Grayson offers some ingenious and doable suggestions for keeping the house cool without overusing the energy-sucking air conditioner. By taking these measures, you can ensure that you and your family have a pleasant summer without breaking the bank on air conditioning.
