Maintaining a comfortable temperature and climate within your home can be costly especially during extreme weather conditions during the summer and winter months. It can be difficult to keep your home cool during the long, hot summer days without constantly running your air conditioning system. 

There are many benefits to consider when it comes to implementing energy efficient practices other than the benefits for instant comfort and wellness. For instance, reducing the strain on local power grids, lowering your energy consumption, and reducing your overall carbon footprint. Altogether these initiatives contribute to supporting environmental sustainability while reducing energy costs, a win-win scenario for everyone. 

There are a few tips and tricks you can consider in order to not overwork your A/C system for the long run and that might just help save you some money while you're at it.

• Use Fans:

  • Ceiling fans: Use ceiling fans to circulate air and create a breeze, which can make a room feel cooler without reducing the temperature.

  • Box fans: Place box fans near windows to draw in cooler air during the evening or early morning and expel hot air from your home.

• Block Sunlight:

  • Close curtains and blinds: Keep curtains and blinds closed during the hottest parts of the day to block out direct sunlight and prevent heat from entering your home.

  • Reflective window film: Apply reflective window film to your windows to reduce the amount of heat that enters your home.

• Seal and Insulate:

  • Seal gaps and cracks: Ensure that windows and doors are properly sealed to prevent warm air from entering and cool air from escaping.

  • Insulation: Proper insulation in your walls, attic, and floors can help maintain a more stable indoor temperature.

• Use Natural Ventilation:

  • Cross-ventilation: Open windows on opposite sides of your home to allow for cross-ventilation and promote air circulation.

  • Ventilate at night: Open windows during the cooler evening and night hours to let in fresh, cooler air.

• Limit Heat Sources:

  • Appliances: Avoid using heat-generating appliances (such as ovens and dryers) during the hottest parts of the day. Consider using them in the evening or early morning.

  • Incandescent lights: Replace incandescent light bulbs with energy-efficient LED bulbs that emit less heat.

• Cook and Eat Smart:

  • Cook outside: Use an outdoor grill or cook meals that don't require using the oven, which can heat up your home.

  • Eat cooler foods: Opt for light, cold meals that don't require cooking, like salads and sandwiches.

• Use Air Conditioning Wisely:

  • Set a higher temperature: If you have air conditioning, set the thermostat to a slightly higher temperature to reduce energy consumption.

  • Use a programmable thermostat: Set your air conditioner to turn on before you arrive home so you're greeted by a cool environment.

• Create a Cooler Environment:

  • Use cool colors: Paint your walls in light, cool colors that can help create a visually cooler atmosphere.

  • Indoor plants: Place indoor plants, which can help reduce indoor temperatures through a process called transpiration.

• Stay Hydrated and Dress Appropriately:

  • Drink plenty of water: Staying hydrated will help regulate your body temperature.

  • Wear lightweight clothing: Choose breathable and loose-fitting clothes made from natural fabrics.

• Use Cool, Damp Cloths:

  • Place damp cloths on your forehead, neck, and wrists to help cool your body down.

Remember, the effectiveness of these methods can vary depending on your specific home, climate, and personal preferences. Combining multiple strategies can provide the best results for keeping your home cool during hot summer months.