Summer is approaching fast and millions of Americans are already looking for ways to cool down.
But with energy prices high and consumers’ budgets tight, turning on the AC may not be a viable solution.
GETTY Staying cool in the summer can be difficult – especially if you don’t want to use AC[/caption] GETTyCareful control of your thermostat could help boost energy efficiency at home[/caption] WALMARTBlinds may help keep your house cool, and they’re often affordable[/caption]Climate change has made summers longer and hotter – failing to stay cool can be bad for your health.
Prices are a problem. Some Americans could pay $784 on average to cool their homes from June through September, according to National Energy Assistance Directors Association and the Center for Energy Poverty and Climate.
Luckily, financial services company Bankrate has listed several key tricks to stay cool.
PREP YOUR HOME
There are many ways to boost the energy efficiency of your home. Some quick changes may save you money.
One key trick is to create more shade. Careful landscaping, indoor plants and new blinds can help keep a home cool by limiting exposure to hot sunlight.
Creating shade and using covers can be a particularly affordable way to cool off — Walmart is currently offering blackout blinds for only $10.
Installing ceiling fans can also help keep a home cool.
The Department of Energy advises Americans to run their fans counterclockwise in the summer to create a cool breeze. This could, in turn, reduce your need for an AC unit, which uses up more energy.
Last, it can be helpful to find and plug any leaks in your home’s air system. These can be small openings that leak cool air from AC units, reducing their efficiency.
You may need an expert to check for any leaks, however.
TWEAK YOUR DAY-TO-DAY
Careful planning meals to avoid using the oven or stove can help keep your home cool.
In addition to saving energy or gas on the cooking itself, you will stop the heat from building up inside your home, putting strain on your AC unit or cooling systems.
Using a basement, if available, can also be helpful. Staying in an underground space can keep you cooler since heat rises.
Opening windows can be helpful, but it’s often most effective to leave them open overnight when the air cools.
This can help get cooler air into your home by morning.
Lastly, careful use of the thermostat, like keeping the AC low when nobody is home, can save money and increase efficiency.
Using a combination of these tips is likely to keep you cooler and stop you from spending extra on energy.
How much you can save depends on your space and your habits.
DOG DAYS
This summer may be a little different from seasons past.
In New York, some swimmers could soon be saved by talking drones instead of human lifeguards.
The tech will be equipped with floating life rafts for swimmers in need.
Walmart is selling an ice maker for $64.
Some Americans will get up to $1,000 in government payouts this summer.
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