Stay Cool This Summer And Save Money

When the temperature starts to rise, we all know that summer is just around the corner. Of course, so is hot, sticky, miserable humid air. Of course, air conditioners are arguably one of the most useful inventions of the modern age. They can also be the scourge that drives up electricity usage during the warmer months. However, you don't have to suffer through the heat and risk heat exhaustion or a heat stroke nor do you have to bear the burden of a high utility bill.

1. Wear Light Colored Summer Clothing: It always boggles my mind when I see someone who isn't dressed appropriately for the season and therefore they're always cranking the A/C up and complaining about how warm it is. Use common sense and wear shorts and t-shirts.

2. Keep The Drapes Closed: During the daytime, keep your windows covered to block out the sunlight, as it will warm the interior of your home or apartment.

3. Change Your Air Filter: If your air conditioner's air filter is clogged or dirty, replacing it will help save energy because it won't have to work as hard to cool your home. If you're air conditioner has a reusable sponge or mesh screen filter, simply wash it off with some detergent and warm water and allow it to dry before reinstalling it.

4. Raise The Thermostat Setting: Yes, I know this is a difficult thing to do in the summer, but remember that every degree you raise the thermostat saves you a significant chunk of money. The higher the thermostat is set, the less work your air conditioner will have to do keeping your home at that temperature relative to the outside environment.

5. Use A Programmable Thermostat: If you have a programmable thermostat, or are considering one, you can set it to raise the temperature and reduce the amount of time the air conditioner is running while you're away. This is great for times when you're at work and everyone else is out or at school. If you're worried about coming home to a hot house, simply program your thermostat to resume cooling your home at your preferred temperature about half an hour before anyone should be arriving home.

6. Use More Fans: Air conditioning is great for cooling your entire home, but fans are great for cooling the area around you. They don't actually make the air colder, they just assist your body with dissipating heat naturally. The fan blows away air warmed by your body. You may find that you're able to handle raising the temperature on your thermostat at least a couple of degrees or more. And the best thing about fans is that they don't consume anywhere near the amount of energy that fans do.

7. Drink Plenty Of Cold Beverages: When the temperature goes up, your body loses more water due to sweating. Help your body keep you cool by replenishing that lost moisture with cold water, juice or diet sodas.

If you use these tips, you could save a large chunk of change. And that's money that you can save or spend elsewhere. Other than saving money, you're also reducing your impact on the environment by reducing your demand for electricity. So why not give them a try? You might be surprised by how much you can trim your bill down.