This summer, you can both keep yourself and your home cool while being environmentally responsible AND saving you money. Many people associate summer with barbecues, the beach, and swimming. However, there are some days when the intense summer sun isn’t quite as enjoyable, and turning up the air conditioning at home seems to be your only choice.
Everyone has had those moments when they just want to freeze their house and forget about the energy bill, however, it’s important to keep in mind that excessive energy consumption related to cooling homes in the summer increases greenhouse gas emissions and contributes to global warming.
There are alternatives to air conditioning that you may use to keep your home cool. We’ve compiled a list of ten ways to cool your home without using the air conditioner. Making tiny adjustments can have a big impact on your home’s temperature and electricity bill!
1. Turn Off Any Unnecessary Appliances
Although it can seem unusual at first, the majority of appliances actually produce a significant volume of heat. Have you ever put your hand behind your TV on a hot day? Back there, it feels like a sauna! When not in use, make sure all appliances are turned off and unplugged.
2. Use Breathable Bed Linens
If you live in a really hot area, you probably won’t use any bed sheets at all throughout the summer. However, some people want the comfortable weight of material to fall asleep. So be sure you use a breathable, light material, like bamboo, which is considerably more environmentally friendly than cotton. Try moisture-wicking bedding for sensitive skin if you tend to sweat as you sleep. You won’t wake up a sweaty mess since they are made to absorb your perspiration faster than your body can produce it!
3. Avoid Using the Oven
Even though everyone enjoys a delicious potato bake or casserole, summer isn’t the best time to enjoy foods that call for an oven. In a flash, your oven will heat your kitchen and spread this heat throughout the rest of the house. If you want to prepare hot meals, try using the BBQ instead. However, there are no laws requiring that dinner be served hot! Try cooking some energising foods that don’t need an oven, including salads, rice paper rolls, or bruschetta.
4. Close Your Curtains or Blinds
You can minimize the amount of indoor sunlight you are exposed to and naturally cool any room by closing your curtains or blinds during the day. It would be a good idea to invest in some blackout curtains or blinds if your windows receive a lot of direct sunlight in order to block it out during the hottest part of the day or when the sun is at its highest point (typically between 12pm-3pm).
5. Install Ceiling Fans
In general, ceiling fans are less expensive to buy and install than a new air conditioner, but they’re also a terrific way to cool your home because they circulate air throughout the room. They are also more energy-efficient than AC. Just remember to change your ceiling fan settings according to the seasons.
6. Buy a Pedestal Fan
Pedestal fans are a traditional alternative to ceiling fans for cooling medium- to large-sized areas including living rooms and kitchens. They also have the added advantage of portability and may be relocated around the house according to your needs. Most variants are also height adjustable. Tower fans don’t have the same power or airflow as pedestal fans, which are more powerful.
7. At Night, Leave Your Windows Open
There is usually a cool breeze at night as the temperature drops, which might act as natural ventilation in your home. It’s a good idea to open your windows in the evening (if you can do so safely) to take advantage of the cool air and get rid of any stale air that may be present in your rooms. Make sure you have flyscreens fitted so you can enjoy the fresh winds floating through your home without having to swat at mosquitoes!
8. Close Off Empty Rooms
Concentrate your efforts on cooling the rooms that you use every day. It serves no use to waste energy trying to cool a large family home with a lot of unoccupied rooms. When the temperature dips overnight, you can always open the windows to cool those rooms. Simply shut off any unused rooms during the day and concentrate on cooling the rooms you use the most.
9. Change to LED Lighting
Due to the additional heat they produce, light bulbs can make any little area feel warmer. This is particularly true if your lighting is halogen or incandescent. LED bulbs, which are also the most energy-efficient lighting technology, are the way to go if you’re searching for something that generates less heat.
10. Check Your Insulation
Insulation serves as more than just a wintertime thermal barrier to keep your house warm and cozy. Additionally, it keeps it cooler in the summer. One of the best methods to boost your cooling efficiency (and lower your electricity bills) is to ensure your dwelling is sufficiently insulated.
Call Well Connected Electrical Services on 0421 669 383 for ceiling fan installations, LED light conversion or any other electrical needs.
