Baby, it’s HOT outside!!
With soaring temperatures all across the country, the hum of air conditioning can be heard around the clock. And that also means your electric meter is running non-stop too.
But there are a few ways that you can reduce your electricity bill, and they’re not hard to implement at all. Many of these are common sense, but a good reminder never hurt anyone.
Use ceiling fans. While it only costs a few cents per hour to run, it can make your air feel as much as eight degrees cooler. While a ceiling fan won’t replace your air conditioner, it does mean that you can set the temperature higher, which means less energy. The trick is to run the fan counterclockwise to push the air downward.
Use energy savings curtains. There are all types of energy-efficient curtains on the market, and some are very cute. These also work well in the winter to keep heat in, because they’re insulated.
You can also use solar film, which will block up to 70% of the sun’s heat and 99% of UV rays … all while letting all the light in. In the end, you’ll save up to 30% on your cooling bill.
Don’t use your oven. It’s common sense, right? Running your oven will heat up the house faster than you can say “blueberry muffins!” Instead, on the really hot days, focus on fresh salads, fruit salads, sandwiches, and food you can grill. And on the cooler days, or first thing in the morning when it’s still cool, bake some muffins or snacks and put them in the refrigerator so they are easy to grab.
Get a clothesline! I pestered my husband until he finally put a clothesline up a few years ago, and I’m so happy that he did. All summer long I use the clothesline to dry the clothes … just remember to use fabric softener in your wash cycle. You’ll be so psyched at how great your clothes smell from being line-dried … plus you’ll be saving money!!
photo credit: nanny&poppa
