It's hot. I'm a person who thrives in the sun - but these days it's too hot for me to even walk from my car to a store. So, when I can, I've been trying to stay indoors this summer. However, by staying indoors, I'm using energy - energy that we should all try and conserve. Here are a few simple tips to conserve energy while avoiding the heat at home.
1. Windows - Keep your blinds and/or curtains down and drawn in the summer. If you can also invest in solar control window shading/tinting film, not only are you conserving energy, you'll be blocking out some harmful UV rays.
2. Thermostat - Set your A/C to the highest temperature possible that is comfortable to you. We keep ours at 80 degrees but it is usually recommended to keep it at least at 78 to be energy efficient. Try adjusting it one degree higher every few hours or day (depending on how gradual you want to go) until your household grows accustomed. Set your thermostat to at least 85 degrees when leaving. When turning on your A/C, do not set the temperature cooler than the normal setting - it will not cool your space any faster and will result in an unnecessary expense. Replace your filter - dirty filters restrict air flow and make your A/C run longer. Avoid keeping your appliances, lights & lamps, and TV & other electronics directly near the thermostat.
3. Use fans and vents - Ceiling fans help circulate the air to make you feel cooler even though the temperature is not, helping you feel more comfortable when your thermostat is set higher. Use your bathroom vents during showers and baths to vent out humidity and heat. (Try to take shorter showers rather than baths, too!)
4. Laundry - Wash your clothes in cold water. There are a lot of "cold water" detergents that are designed to be a better clean for your laundry. You can use regular detergent on the cold cycle but I recommend using liquid over powder. Do FULL loads to reduce how many loads per week. Line dry your clothes as much as possible. When using the dryer, use the moisture sensor option over timed dry and clean the lint after every load.
5. Dishes - Choose to run your dishwasher over hand-washing. Not only will it save you time, but also in water and electricity (the electricity that is consumes to heat the water). Do FULL loads and let it air dry. Don't pre-rinse before loading. If you need to, use baking soda instead to scrape off clumps off food.
6. Stock your fridge - Your fridge is the most efficient when full versus empty. When it starts to empty and you can't make a run to the store, just fill it with refillable water bottles or pitchers. Thaw frozen food in the fridge rather than on the counter or microwave. Wait to put hot food in the fridge until it is cooler.
7. Cooking - Use your stove and oven as little as possible. Instead, use your microwave, toaster, or toaster oven. When using your stove to boil water or other liquids, make sure to use the pot's cover for a faster boiling time. When using your oven, try not to open the door too often - just use the oven light to take a peek.
8. Be wise with time - Avoid running appliances at peak hours (typically 4 PM to 7 PM) for your laundry or dishwasher.
9. Unplug appliances and electronics - Or connect TVs, DVD players, game consoles, computers, printers, etc. to power strips and turn off when not in use.
10. Lighting - Since the days are longer, try as much as possible to use the natural light that shines through your blinds instead of turning on a light. Turn lights off when leaving a room (simple but you'll be surprised how many people need reminding). And of course . . . switch to LED bulbs.
Enjoy the rest of your summer! Stay safe and cool.
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