Some like it hot. However, I don’t think they meant this hot. It is a scorcher outside and everyone is scrambling to stay cool.
According to the U.S Environment Protection Agency, the average American home spends roughly 20% of it’s utility bill on cooling. The increased energy produced to run the cooling system will not only raise your costs, but the pollution that is created can adversely affect the quality of the air we breathe. With that said, here are 10 ways to stay cool during the summer months that will help protect you and the environment:
- Shades-not just for your eyes. Pull your curtains or drapes over your windows to keep the sun’s rays from overheating your home.
- Want to lower your cooling costs by 14%? By using a fan and raising your thermostat by 2 degrees, you can keep cool and lower your electric bill! Please remember that a fan cools you and not the room, so be diligent and turn it off when not in the room!
- If you have a programmable thermostat, now’s the time to use it. When you are not home, set it a few degrees higher, that way you are not cooling an empty house.
- Did you know that incandescent lighting produces 75% more heat than (CFLs) energy star lights? So why not make the switch, all while saving some energy and staying cool at the same time.
- A dirty cooling system filter will only slow down the system and make it work harder to cool your house. This is a friendly reminder to check your filter every month. If it’s dirty change it, but usually it only needs to be changed every 3 months.
- Plant a tree(s). Trees are awesome for all sorts of things. But when you plant them around your home they act as shade and help to cool your home. And of course they look beautiful.
- Leaks around closed windows and doors waste as much energy as one large open window. WOW! Sealing your windows and doors will drastically help reduce energy losses.
- Eat “cool” foods, this will give the illusion you are cool. I personally love to eat fresh cucumbers when it’s hot outside. It’s so refreshing to me.
- Who wants to cook when it’s hot out? Not me. Your stove generates heat and will make your cooling system work harder to cool your home. Opt for BBQing or fresh raw foods.
- By using your dishwasher in the evening when its cooler, you can offset the heat and humidity it will produce. Thus, your AC will not have to work as hard.
- Bonus #11: Drink lots of fluids, especially water. Pop does not count as a way to hydrate, people!
Let’s see what you can implement to say cool as a cucumber during these hot times and reduce your environmental impact!
What do you do to stay cool?
Sources: EPA and Central Electric Power Association
cool down, green, water
I am the Good Girl Gone Green. Seeing garbage cans overflowing with recyclables breaks my heart.
Thanks for the tips! I’m all for saving a few bucks and helping out the environment!
Everyone loves to save money, so combine that with the environment…it’s win win!
Thanks for the ideas. I’m a mom and teacher, adn we have a huge recycling program in our schools and community.
http://mamawolfe-living.blogspot.com/
Not all schools have recycling. It’s great to hear that yours does!
Great ideas! If only summer would hit for us in Seattle!!
LOL! It rained here all day but it was still so hot!
I love BBQing on hot summer days…totally a fan
Thanks for following, your blog is great! New follower of yours as well 
BBQing is so much better than using your stove!
Damn. You did it again. Another great post with awesome ideas. I almost hate reading your blog, cause it is so hard to be so 100% green and your blog reminds me to stick with it and try harder. Also makes me want to eat better too and my fat ass needs that. I need to get that will power. By the way…how long have you been weird like this. Good weird. YOu know what i mean
Thanks Scott! It’s baby steps. Do what you can-doing something is better than nothing, right? I didn’t wake up one day like this, I gradually learned and decided how I wanted to live my life!
Great tips! We actually just installed ceiling fans in our bedrooms so that we don’t have to keep the ac running all night. Thanks for stopping by my blog. Here to follow you back. Can’t wait to read more from you.
Great idea! Yo will save money and energy!
So we have a swamp cooler and my parents have air conditioning. After running the swamp cooler from 10am (when it really starts to heat up) to 6pm (when the sun starts to dip over the mountains) we actually use about $300 less than my parents who run their air about 24/7. They became aware of how much they are actually spending on cool comfort, and let me stop whining about the humidity in our house… even though I am having to wear my hair curly still!
Thanks for stopping by my website… I am a new follower of yours and love the simplicity and message of your blog!
Thank you, Meggie! WOW, 300$, that is insane! Good for you..save some $ and energy!
great tips. we hit the beach/pools to cool off…along with sipping on some icy drinks! cool cucumbers sound delish!
[oomph.]
Cucumbers are awesome! And spending time at the beach or in a pool sounds refreshing!
Im loving your blog! always good thing to be good for the environment!
Thank you!
Great tips! Thanks!!
Thank you and you’re welcome!
Great info…thanks!
Tiffany
Thanks for stopping by Tiffany!
Wonderful tips! I need to work on them!
Thanks. Do what you can-that is better than nothing!
Some great tips for staying cool. Thanks for stopping at my blog. i am now your follower, too.
I stay cool by living in Montana. Even though it may get hot in the afternoon, it always cools off at night. In fact I often water my flowers in the morning wearing a down-filled jacket.
Bea Jay
Whole Radish
Thank you! Wow, a jacket to water your flowers. It’s no that cold over here, I would walk around naked if it was acceptable…lol!
So happy you stopped by my blog! I absolutely love yours! We just moved into a new house (our first house) and the neighborhood, from what we know doesn’t have any available recycling pick up. Any advice/ideas on how to recycle our items? I miss being able to!! We did when we were renting from our other place. I feel so bad throwing all of the recyclables away. :/
Thank you, Marci! We have lived in 3 different cities over the last 2 years and not one of them had curbside recycling in appartments, but there were recycling plants. I drive all my recycling every week or every 2 weeks to the recycling facility! Maybe call your city or town and find out if they recycle, which they probably do and see if you can bring it yourself! Good luck and hope you stop by again!
Awesome tips, thank you! I really REALLY like your blog
I am a new follower
http://emismom.blogspot.com/
Thank you Sarah for coming by and having a read!
Thanks for hopping with us this week
No problem!
I love all the great info here. stopping to say hello.
Thank you.