6 Ways to Beat the Heat Without Making Your Wallet Sweat
Now that the high temperatures have really kicked in, it's only natural to want to stay as cool as possible. Unfortunately, most of us don't have the money to spend blasting the air conditioning all summer long. You can quickly cool off -- and stay refreshed all day and night -- without spending a bundle, or even anything at all. Here are six affordable ways to beat the heat:
Give your AC a break. Use a ceiling fan, instead of air conditioning, to move air around in your home and give a much-needed break to your AC unit. Try placing a fan at the foot of your bed with a bowl of ice in front of it so the fan blows over the ice, which cools the air and saves energy. You might also consider making an investment and swap out your old hunk-of-junk thermostat for a new, smart one like the Nest Learning Thermostat. Nest will learn your temperature preferences and automatically adjust itself based on your usage patterns. If you're out of the house for a while midday and want it to be cool when you get back, you can adjust the temperature down on your way home with the mobile app.
Revamp your chores routine. Although appliances help you run your household, they also warm it up fast. Run clothes dryers and dishwashers at night to avoid peak energy rates and the humid heat they generate. Excess humidity is more than uncomfortable -- it can also be expensive, since air conditioners use extra energy to process the moisture. Prolonged baking or stovetop cooking also makes the AC work overtime. Take advantage of summer weather, and cook outdoors when possible. Too muggy outside? Use a microwave or toaster oven, both of which use less energy and generate less heat. When you need to use a burner, keep pots covered to cook food faster and minimize heat buildup.
Stay unplugged. Try unplugging small appliances whenever you can, and especially before you leave on vacation or for extended periods of time. Computers, cellphone chargers and other electronics often continue to use power -- and radiate heat -- even when turned off. To simplify, plug items into a power strip that you can use as a master switch.
Install energy-efficient light bulbs. Your lamp may be giving off more than a pretty glow. When using incandescent bulbs, you've likely noticed the longer they're turned on, the hotter they get -- warming the room as a result. Replace your old light bulbs with fluorescent bulbs, which use less energy and don't emit as much heat. They also last longer and therefore need to be replaced less often, saving you money as a result.
Keep the shades shut! Keep in mind that while you may be tempted to throw open your blinds on a sunny day and let the bright light in, you could be inadvertently heating your home in the process. When sun filters in through the windows, you get something called heat gain -- the space retains heat from the sun throughout the day. Drawing the blinds or closing the shades can help reduce heat gain.
Get out of the house. If the temperature at home is simply unbearable, go on a field trip. Most public buildings are air-conditioned, so take a stroll around the mall, see a movie or read a book in a library or local coffee shop for a chilly escape. If the heat outside doesn't bother you, enjoy a dip in a community pool, have a picnic or relax in the shade at your local park. Check to see if your community has a designated splash pad or maintains fountains or sprinklers that kids can run through. Spending less time in your house is the easiest way to reduce your energy bill.
With a little bit of planning, you can easily reduce energy consumption and save money at the same time. It's a win-win for you and the environment.
Holly Perez is a consumer money expert at Intuit and mint.com spokeswoman, a leading Web and mobile money management tool that helps people understand and do more with their money.
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